B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping influencer horror ARGs into the ol’ VCR.

As we all know, I watch a lot of YouTube. 

Additionally, Instagram is my social media platform of choice. 

Finally, we KNOW I love a good analog horror series and/or horror ARG. 

With all this in mind, it should come as no surprise that I’ve had influencer horror ARGs on the brain lately. 

And, in my mind, there are two big ones: I Am Sophie and #NeverAlone. 

I did think about including Ash Vlogs, but I decided to tackle that in a different piece because it just doesn’t *quite* fit the vibe. 

I also thought I would share with all of you an idea that I’ve come up with for an influencer horror ARG, with the promise that if any of you make it, you have to give me credit for the idea. 

Now, there’s no possible way I can hit every single piece of these ARGs, so I’m going to give you a generic overview of each. BUT, I will link Night Mind’s series on in the I Am Sophie section. 

That way, if you want a more thorough look into the series, you can curl up on the couch with your popcorn and dive in like I did. 

Additionally, I’ll link the full Instagram account for Cassandra Clemm in the #NeverAlone section, so you can take a look for yourselves. My only disclaimer is that I’m not sure exactly how much of the ARG is still up. 

Alrighty, that should do us for introductions and disclaimers. 

Without further ado, may I present to you, I Am Sophie and #NeverAlone: 

I Am Sophie 

When the first video on the I Am Sophie channel dropped back in 2020, it was clear that something was afoot…and that something would become a rollercoaster of a horror ARG. The first few entries of the series are GREAT. Seriously, I have no notes. In fact, creator Tom Ransom even created a cut to send to film festivals, and it looks like it won first place at one in Rhode Island. 

I would argue that the first half to the first two-thirds of I Am Sophie are wonderful. I love the concept of a stereotypically wealthy and out-of-touch influencer being chased down by a personification of the negative side of the internet, as well as his possessed lackeys. 

However, once we start getting deep into the Simon stuff, I feel like we lose the plot. I love the whole idea of Lana, but I just feel like the ending leaves something to be desired.

In Tom Ransom’s defense though, I feel like maintaining a series of this caliber was extremely time-consuming and difficult. As a, deep sigh, creator myself, I can feel the burnout, and I just film one video a week. I can’t imagine how crazy it must’ve been to bring something like this to life. 

The I Am Sophie channel is still up, as is her Instagram account, and I highly recommend checking both of them out. Also, as I mentioned earlier, Night Mind covered the series at length, so I recommend checking out his synopsis as well. 

Video source: Night Mind

#NeverAlone

The whole #NeverAlone ARG is a wild one. Cassandra Clemm’s account started out just like any aspiring influencer’s. She posted artistic pictures of herself with coffee, in different outfits, and throughout the day. However, through comments, captions, and uploads, it became very clear that something sinister was lurking just beneath the surface…and Cassandra’s mental health might be deteriorating before our very eyes. 

The minds behind #NeverAlone were revealed to be Chloe Cole (who played Cassandra), Sabina Friedman-Seitz, and Anna Miles. And, much like Tom Ransom and Co, they compiled everything into a horror short called Zenith that made its way into the 13 Minutes of Horror Film Festival.

My ARG Idea 

Okay, so I’ve been noodling an idea for a long time, and I think it has some legs. 

Picture it: 

Claire (I’m not married to the name) is a mommy vlogger who posts videos with her kid regularly. Suddenly, she starts uploading more traditional influencer content (sans kid) like GRWMs, travel vlogs, you name it. 

People start asking her where her kid went, and Claire has no idea what we’re talking about. She has no recollection of being a mom, and there are no indicators of any children in her home. Nothing. 

Also, similar to EverymanHYBRID, she can’t see certain uploads. 

However, after a viewer sends her one of the videos, Claire goes on a mission to find the child she can’t remember and to try to return to a life that may or may not be hers. 

I feel like there’s the potential to involve other YouTubers, provide a lot of commentary around the influencer community, etc… 

I haven’t quite fleshed out what the big bad is, but again, I think there’s something here. 

And, if one of you makes it, you have to credit me and somehow involve the B Movies Channel in some capacity.

That’s all I ask.