‘The Influencer’ (2024) Netflix Series Review - Misses its Chance to Mesmerize You

With the world revolving around social media so much, how could we think that there won't be any reality show based on influencers? And to prove us right came to this South Korean show “The Influencer”. In this show, these social media influencers who have loads of followers compete to survive till the end. The show starts with many popular social media influencers being introduced. Although they have a following of millions on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and AfreecaTV, we may not know them all.  In *The Influencer*, contestants are outfitted with collars that prominently display their subscriber counts, a striking gimmick that lays bare the disturbing truth about contemporary influencer culture. This device reduces an individual to a numerical value, underscoring how their entire identity is distilled into this single metric. Whether their subscriber count reaches into the millions or hovers in the hundreds of thousands, it becomes the sole measure of their worth and societal value. This number not only represents their online persona but also transforms them into commodities whose worth can be bought and sold. Their self-esteem and public standing are intrinsically linked to these figures, starkly illustrating the commodification of personal identity in the digital era.

As the show progresses, it becomes clear that contestants are desperately seeking approval from their peers, obsessively chasing likes and dreading dislikes. Their every move on stage is driven by the relentless pursuit of validation, highlighting a troubling trend that prioritizes social media approval over authentic self-expression. The performances themselves become a showcase of this misguided quest, as contestants craft their content not for personal fulfillment or creative expression, but solely to garner likes and avoid dislikes. This spectacle underscores a disturbing shift in values, where the quality and originality of content are overshadowed by the desire for fleeting digital approval, further entrenching the superficiality and commodification of personal worth in the influencer culture.

Despite a few episodes remaining in the season, the show has been notably sluggish in its pacing. The initial episodes primarily consist of extended introductions to each influencer, dragging out what could have been more engaging content. Rather than diving into the dynamics of the competition or exploring the influencers' personalities and interactions in depth, the show spends a considerable amount of time on lengthy, superficial introductions. This slow buildup fails to capture the audience's attention and does little to advance the narrative or provide meaningful insights into the contestants, leaving viewers impatient for a more substantive progression.

Overall, you might want to skip this show. It’s largely dull and uninspired, failing to engage viewers with anything beyond a repetitive focus on superficial trends. The show perpetuates a troubling narrative, glorifying the relentless pursuit of likes and promoting the idea that any action, no matter how questionable, is justified in the name of content creation. Rather than offering meaningful entertainment or insightful commentary, it reinforces the worst aspects of influencer culture, making it a lackluster choice for anyone seeking substantive or enjoyable viewing.

Final Score- [4/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times