RATING: A

A Brianna Lee Films production. Written, produced, edited, and directed by Brianna Lee. Cinematography by Noah Barker. 

Stars Brianna Lee, Greg Saridakis, Katy Frame, Alena Acker, Richard Mark Jordan, Matthew Eyre, Dominick Cost, and Jake Lesh.

A social media star finds herself obsessed when one negative comment risks derailing her career in this tense horror film from Brianna Lee, who does so well both in front and behind the cameras. 

For years, Bethany has been ridiculed by both classmates and her own mother. However, Bethany has proven them all wrong when she becomes a megastar on TikTok under the alias of “Killa B”. She is one of the most popular stars on the platform and has gained a massive following. However, as she is preparing for one of her appearances, she finds a negative comment from a user known as “flyboy20”. 

At first undeterred, the past comes back to haunt her as the negative comment is about her looks. This triggers past trauma that leads to her finding out who exactly the troll is. Upon seeing a video of him dancing, she decides not only to track him down but learns a bit about his family’s history and uses it to her advantage. After having his parents arrested for their past sins, it is time she comes face-to-face with the troll and tell him what it’s like to show negativity on social media and the impact it can cause. 

You have to hand it to Brianna Lee, the force behind this 67-minute film that recently made its world premiere at the Raindance Film Festival. Not only does she come up with a good film that discusses social media and its impact, but turns it into a psychological horror film about a star whose past trauma is triggered by an online troll who makes fun of her looks, which in turns leads to others making fun of her, leading to her seeking revenge. 

Lee not only wrote, produced, directed, and edited the film, she takes center stage as Bethany, or “Killa B” as she is known on social media. Lee does a great job in the role of someone who has dealt with so much crap in her life that she finally found a place where she can be accepted for who she is, only for some jerk to make fun of her. Yes, these are the risks of posting on social media, but to make fun of someone because of their looks is totally extreme. However, the way Killa B handles it is quite shocking and insane. 

Not only it is shocking and insane, but KIlla B plays it very smartly as well. She learns that our troll here has an addict mother and abusive father. She decides to use that to her advantage in a way a hero will go after the henchmen before going after the big boss. But if that’s not enough, it is the final moments that are even more shocking as to how everything is played out. 

The Troll is quite a fascinating look at social media and its ramifications through the lens of a psychological horror film. Brianna Lee is definitely a name to look out for as she has come up with a great concept as well as show she is definitely a face to look for on screen. 

The film made its debut at the Raindance Film Festival on June 20th.