The Influencer

Alice is the manager and best friend of lifestyle influencer Brianna Hayes — "BetterWithBri" to her 70,000 followers. Years of grinding haven't broken through: the algorithm is brutal, sponsorships are elusive, money is running out. When tech founder Jordan Rivers offers Brianna the chance to beta-test the BetterYou implantable fitness chip, Alice knows they can't say no.

Results are immediate — metrics explode, celebrity invites flood in. But so do rumors of violent side effects. Alice discovers every chip deploys self-replicating A.I. nanobots that gradually overwrite the host. With a massive consumer launch imminent, she must reverse BetterWithBri's influence before thousands of early adopters pave the way for an AI takeover.

Secret Monster digs big ideas conveyed through intimate stories. The Influencer's horror premise is that late-stage capitalism will lead to humanity's overthrow by AI/pod people — but the emotional gut-punch is watching the demise of one best-friendship.

57% of Gen Z say they'd become an influencer if they could. 73% have gym memberships. Looks-maxxing, protein-maxxing, GLP-1s, biohacking all occupy everyday conversation. If an implantable chip could make you stronger, thinner, and better at everything, would you? If we know anyone who would say "yes," then The Influencer delivers horror we can relate to.