Death by Influencer 📱, 'Sinners' burns down the house 🔥, 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' returns 🪝, & more!

Being an influencer is never a good thing, especially when you're trapped in a horror movie. As one of my favorite subgenres, influencer horror teaches us valuable lessons about self-worth, online validation, and the power of the internet. Technically, we're all influencers in some way, all seeking acceptance and community in the digital space. I suppose, that's why I gravitate toward the genre so much - it's a mirror of our society and the importance of always being available. When you think about it, we're all desperate for the dopamine hits we get when someone likes or reposts something you put online. It's an addiction, but we can't escape it.

With the new Black Mirror season out this month, it feels appropriate that we get around to tackling influencer horror. It's been teaching us about the future - well, the present, actually - for years now, and things have only grown more dire. The reality is we're not watching some social-media-addicted, futuristic dystopian society, we're actually living it right now (the "Nosedive" episode feels like any day on Bluesky or Instagram tbh). As our attention is fractured into various places, including this newsletter, you'll see by our favorite Influencer Horror films that we're all engaged with the same ending: our eventual demise. FIlms like Influencer or Deadstream toy with ideas that we're all one post away from our entire identities being stolen or our digital selves completely falling apart.

As our daily lives demand an increasing online presence, don't forget to disconnect and unplug, read our newsletter, and experience the world around us. Take care of yourself.

Issue 042’s Letterboxd list can be found here

Influencer, the Shudder Original released in 2022, demonstrates why it’s probably best to not share or tag your location when traveling local or internationally. Social media’s a killer, folks. Check out our list on Letterboxd if you, er… liked this one. 

The opening scene of the I Know What You Did Last Summer legacy sequel looks fine, but what came after made me cringe. Of course, the trailer gives away too much, but some of the lines, such as "I need to start drinking" and "This place is so beautiful, it makes me want to die", made me laugh (and cringe). However, I do look forward to seeing if they tie this film into the second, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, and completely skip over that hot mess (an understatement) of a third film (Dead Meat knew what's up!). Well, you all wished for a new I Know What You Did Last Summer film and, guess what, you got it. Are you happy now? Watch the trailer. [written by Brett]

Are you ready for Deathwoods? A slasher paying homage to classic slashers (can you spot The Burning nod?), Deathwoods is currently in post-production and looks to satisfy that slasher itch. Even the voiceover feels as though ripped straight from the '80s. It looks fun, campy, and deadly. Watch the teaser trailer. [written by Bee]

The second season of Wednesday promises to be as deadly as the first. Split in two, we won't get to see what the titular character is up to until August (ugh!), but the teaser trailer sure is a delight. Watch the trailer. [written by Bee]

The kid from Stranger Things’ new film, Hell of a Summer, comes to Blu-ray and DVD on July 8th.

Influencer horror film Skillhouse, the latest film from Josh Stolberg (Saw X, Sorority Row) takes over the big screens on July 11th.

After a successful theater run, Josh Ruben’s Heart Eyes will break hearts on Netflix on May 8, 2025. 😍💔

Established in 2020, Macabre Daily is your home for the dark side of pop culture on the internet providing news, reviews, interviews, and opinions about the world of horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and cult films! Macabre Daily serves over 11,000 visitors per month to our website and over 13,7000 followers on our social media platforms. Our team of contributors covers a wide array of media such as movies, television, physical media, and more and you can visit www.macabredaily.com to see more, and follow us on social media at @macabredaily and remember, Stay Scary!