Cassandra Naud
CW
Overview
While struggling on a solo backpacking trip in Thailand, social media influencer Madison meets CW, who travels with ease and shows her a more uninhibited way of living. But CW's interest in her takes a darker turn.
Cast
6 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Double Tap: How Influencer Turns Likes Into a Knife
I’ve seen this trick before—the lonely traveler, the charismatic stranger, the slow unraveling of trust—but Influencer doesn’t just reheat the recipe. It bakes something darker, something that tastes like the algorithm itself: sweet at first, then cloying, then toxic. The film opens with Madison (Emily Tennant), a social media influencer whose carefully curated feed is starting to crack under the weight of her own mediocrity.
She’s in Thailand, alone, and her posts are getting fewer likes. That’s when CW (Cassandra Naud) slides into frame, all effortless charm and sun-bleached confidence. Their first real conversation happens over a phone call, Madison’s face half-lit by her screen, CW’s voice a purr through the speaker.
It’s a moment that feels intimate and performative at once, like every influencer’s dream: a connection that’s also content.
Kurtis David Harder, the director, has a knack for making the familiar feel unsettling. His last film, Spiral, twisted a suburban dinner party into a nightmare of paranoia, and Influencer does something similar with the well-trodden "stranger danger" trope. But here, the threat isn’t just a person—it’s the idea of a person.
CW isn’t just a con artist; she’s a living, breathing highlight reel, a woman who exists entirely in the space between what she shows and what she hides. The film’s structure mirrors this duality, jumping between timelines in a way that feels less like a gimmick and more like the way we actually consume stories now: in fragments, out of order, with the most dramatic bits saved for last.
What makes CW so terrifying isn’t just that she’s a predator—it’s that she’s good at it. She doesn’t lurk in the shadows; she thrives in the light, posing for photos, laughing too loud, turning every moment into a potential post. Cassandra Naud plays her with a chilling precision, shifting between warmth and menace in the space of a single glance.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.3/10
"A slow-burn thriller with striking visuals and a chilling villain, but struggles to sustain tension throughout."
The movie stands out for its eerie atmosphere, beautiful cinematography, and a compelling antagonist that keeps viewers intrigued. However, pacing issues and a lack of consistent suspense leave some feeling underwhelmed, especially in the middle act. latestnetflix.com's read is that the blend of modern social media themes with classic thriller elements is appreciated, though the execution doesn’t always deliver on its promise.
What viewers praise
- Striking visuals and locations The film’s cinematography and use of exotic locations create a visually immersive and unsettling atmosphere.
- Unique and chilling villain The antagonist is praised for being unpredictable and genuinely unsettling, adding depth to the thriller elements.
- Intriguing premise The modern twist on thriller tropes, incorporating social media and influencer culture, is seen as fresh and relevant.
- Strong opening act The first part of the movie is engaging and sets up an interesting dynamic between the characters.
Common complaints
- Pacing issues The middle act drags, and the slow build-up fails to maintain consistent tension for some viewers.
- Underdeveloped characters Supporting characters and even some leads lack depth, making it hard to connect with their arcs.
- Predictable moments Some plot twists and reveals feel telegraphed or clichéd, reducing the impact of key scenes.
- Weak payoff The ending doesn’t fully satisfy, leaving some viewers feeling the build-up was for naught.
Recommended for
Horror-thriller fans Atmospheric slow-burn lovers Social media-themed horror enthusiasts Villain-driven story seekers Visually immersive film fans
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Influencer (2023): A Shudder Thriller’s Dark Journey
Kurtis David Harder’s Influencer (2023) arrived on Shudder as a slow-burn thriller with a sharp edge, blending social media obsession with psychological horror. latestnetflix.com's view is that the film, which premiered at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival in October 2022 before its streaming debut in May 2023, marked a turning point for its director and cast—particularly for Cassandra Naud, who took on a role that would redefine her career in the horror genre.
From Script to Screen: The Making of a Modern Horror Story
Harder co-wrote Influencer with Tesh Guttikonda, crafting a screenplay that critiques influencer culture while delivering chills. The film follows Madison (Emily Tennant), a struggling social media star who meets CW (Cassandra Naud) during a solo trip to Thailand. What begins as a carefree adventure spirals into something far more sinister, with CW’s uninhibited lifestyle masking a darker agenda 
.
The project was a passion piece for Harder, who aimed to explore the isolating effects of digital fame. While details about the filming process remain scarce, the movie’s setting—Thailand—played a crucial role in its atmosphere, offering a lush yet eerie backdrop for the story’s descent into paranoia .
Cassandra Naud’s Breakout Role
For Naud, Influencer was a career-defining moment. The Canadian actress, dancer, and entrepreneur had been building her resume in indie films, but her portrayal of CW catapulted her into the horror spotlight. The role demanded a mix of charm and menace, and Naud delivered, earning praise for her ability to balance CW’s free-spirited persona with an unsettling undercurrent .
Naud’s performance was so compelling that she reprised the role in Influencers (2025), a sequel that expanded on the original’s themes. While the first film focused on a single toxic dynamic, the follow-up reportedly broadened its scope to tackle influencer culture on a larger scale . Though details about the sequel’s production are limited, Naud’s return suggests her character’s story was far from over.
A Festival Favorite Before Shudder’s Takeover
Influencer made its debut at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival in 2022, where it generated buzz for its fresh take on horror tropes. The festival circuit can be a make-or-break moment for indie films, and Influencer’s reception likely played a role in Shudder’s decision to acquire it. The streaming service, known for its curated selection of horror and thriller content, gave the film a wider audience when it premiered on May 26, 2023 .
The movie’s release strategy—festivals first, then streaming—is a common path for indie horror, allowing word-of-mouth to build before a digital debut. While critical reception was mixed, with some praising its tension and others critiquing its pacing, Influencer found its niche among fans of psychological thrillers .
The Cast and Crew’s Collaborative Effort
Beyond Naud and Tennant, the film’s ensemble included Rory J. Saper, Sara Canning, Paul Spurrier, and Justin Sams, each bringing depth to the story’s unsettling dynamic. The chemistry between the leads was a key factor in the film’s success, with Tennant’s portrayal of Madison’s vulnerability contrasting sharply with Naud’s CW .
Harder’s direction kept the tension simmering, avoiding jump scares in favor of a creeping dread. The film’s runtime—just 92 minutes—ensured it never overstayed its welcome, a testament to the tight script and efficient editing .
**What’s Next for the Influencer Universe?**
With the sequel Influencers already released in 2025, the original film’s legacy is secure. The follow-up reportedly shifts focus to a new set of characters while retaining the themes of manipulation and digital obsession that made the first film stand out . Whether Naud’s CW returns in a larger capacity remains unconfirmed, but her impact on the franchise is undeniable.
For now, Influencer (2023) remains a standout entry in Shudder’s library—a thriller that’s as much about the dangers of online fame as it is about the horrors lurking beneath a perfect Instagram feed.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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