31 Days of Halloween

[Nighstream] ‘#BlueBoar’ review: A look at influencers

A satirical look at influencer culture through the lens of a puritan girl.

October 13, 2020

Welcome to another installment of 31 Days of Halloween! This is our chance to set the mood for the spookiest and scariest month of the year as we focus our attention on horror and Halloween fun. For the month of October we’ll be sharing various pieces of underappreciated scary books, comics, movies, and television to help keep you terrified and entertained all the way up to Halloween.

Today’s world is full of social media stars and influencers. Technological innovations have made it so any person with some neat tips or tricks can garner attention by providing help to anyone who may need it. It stands to reason that there have always been influencers in some circle or another. After all, The Salem Witch Trials reached mayhem level status when the residents of Salem were inspired to accuse their neighbors of witchcraft after a group of girls got the ball going. Alice Victoria Winslow takes a satirical look at influencer culture through the lens of a puritan girl in 1690’s Salem in #BlueBoar.

Alice Victoria Winslow writes, directs, and stars as a young puritan girl with her own YouTube channel. She is back from hiatus after recovering from a bewitching. While attempting to give bonnet hacks to her followers, more is revealed about her affliction. There are some excellent jokes about which videos to watch after liking and subscribing to hers. There is also some truly creepy camera work and effects to amp up the horror of the situation.

Winslow’s acting is wonderful, portraying both humor and tragedy, a deep message is conveyed. Winslow’s film asks important questions prevalent to today’s culture. Who is influencing the influencer? Who can help the influencer? Many look to social media personas for guidance, but who can help the social media stars. Clever and poignant, #BlueBoar is horror and comedy and it holds up a mirror to who we are today. #Blueboar is showing at the Nightstream Film Festival.