Official Synopsis
Out-of-work television ghost hunters discover the key to getting their jobs back — and proving ghosts are real — is by working with the last group of people anyone would expect: Social Media Stars.
Review
Director Alexander Boyd Watson delivers the latest in the fear-fare subgenre of influencer horror comedies with Demonetize (U.S., 2026). Horror films about social media personalities are a decidedly mixed bag, especially if viewers are already biased against their often grating personalities and when bickering relationships are part of the proceedings. Thankfully, Watson, who cowrote the screenplay with Janine Hogan, crafts one of the better recent offerings in the influencer-focused chills-and-chuckles department.
One reason for Demonetize rising above the influencer horror comedy pack is that its characters, although deliberately not entirely likable, are at least more interesting than the norm. Yes, we have the expected obnoxious anything-for-clicks jerk in Paul Cory (Cherdleys AKA Chad Lebaron) and self-obsessed glamor gal in Tara Ahlquist (Lexi Collins), but we also have more toned-down characters in face dancer Brie Padilla (Alice Wen), tech expert Spencer Adams (Juliano Hodges), and comeback-seeking Jane Lincoln (cowriter Hogan). That says something as I find many horror films and horror comedies with influencers as main characters uninteresting. Former TV ghost-hunting celebrity Martin (Sean Carrigan), accompanied by his assistant Terrence (Matty Cardarople), is hoping to make a return to the spotlight by inviting those influencers to spend the night in a reputedly haunted house.
The solid performances are fun throughout, including Doug Jones as a bigwig in the social media world. Humor being subjective, for me the laughs hit quite often. The production values and special effects are highly impressive. Watson balances the horror and comedy impressively, and he also shows a deft hand at building and maintaining suspense.
Although Demonetize follows some expected beats, there is plenty of originality on tap. Aficionados of horror comedies and anyone who enjoys watching smug online personalities get theirs should get a huge kick out of the film.
You can check out the trailer here .
Demonetize screened as part of Panic Fest 2026, Screenland Armour and Downright Creepy presented which ran April 9–13, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri, with a virtual version that ran April 9–19.
