FOLLOWERS
a feature film pitch deck
OVERVIEW
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Logline
In a near-future where teleportation and social media have merged into a dystopian influencer economy, a technophobic loner accidentally becomes the world’s number one influencer after livestreaming a celebrity’s death and must navigate unwanted fame while uncovering the sinister forces behind the system.
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Target Audience
Fans of satirical, socially conscious sci-fi like Black Mirror, The Truman Show, and Brazil (1985), particularly Millennials and Gen Z viewers who are critical of or immersed in social media culture.
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Themes
- The commodification of attention and validation
- The erosion of privacy in a hyperconnected world
- The unintended consequences of technological overreach
- The search for authenticity in a society driven by spectacle
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Genre
Sci-Fi Satire/Dark Comedy
THEMES
The Commodification of Attention & Validation
Explores how society places monetary and social value on attention, turning every moment into a transaction and reducing human experiences to "cool points."
The Erosion of Privacy & Authenticity
Highlights how technology and social media invade personal spaces, making genuine moments and relationships rare in a world obsessed with public spectacle.
The Consequences of Technological Overreach
Examines the unintended societal effects of innovations like teleportation and digital influence, where convenience leads to exploitation and manipulation.
The Struggle for Individual Identity in a Collective Hive Mind
Focuses on the conflict between living authentically as an individual versus conforming to the expectations of a trend-driven, attention-seeking society.
TREATMENT
In a near-future world where teleportation technology and social media have fused, society revolves around "cool points," a digital currency earned by posting viral moments to an audience of instantaneously teleporting Followers. This system has turned everyday life into a spectacle, and fame is the ultimate goal.
Stephen Switzer, a technophobic loner in his 30s, avoids this trend-obsessed world, clinging to analog pleasures like film cameras and vinyl records. But his quiet life is disrupted when he accidentally livestreams the apparent suicide of the world’s most famous influencer, while trying to call the police. The video goes viral, attracting millions of Followers and launching Stephen to the top of the influencer leaderboard—a title he neither wants nor knows how to manage.
Suddenly, Stephen is thrust into the bizarre, cutthroat world of influencers. Brands flood him with offers, strangers teleport into his home, and people obsess over his every move. Despite his disdain for the system, Stephen can’t ignore the privileges his newfound status affords—especially when his ex-girlfriend Greta reappears, drawn to his fame.
Enter Hedley, a militant anti-teleport activist, who reveals the dark truth: the influencer system is a corporate-engineered addiction designed to control society. She recruits Stephen to infiltrate the system and expose its corruption, specifically targeting Toby Blonstein, a rising influencer who manipulates public events—like Stephen’s own breakup—for profit.
Stephen initially resists, reluctant to embrace the spotlight, but Hedley’s persistence and his growing disillusionment with fame push him to act. Together, they stage a fake viral event to reveal the truth. However, their plan backfires when Toby frames Stephen as the true villain, turning his Followers against him and sending his cool points plummeting.
Stripped of his status, Stephen is finally free from the public eye, but he must decide whether to retreat into obscurity or take a stand. Using his last remaining influence, he broadcasts an unfiltered exposé of the system, sparking a rebellion that disrupts the "cool points" economy and inspires society to reclaim authenticity.
Stephen fakes his death to avoid corporate retaliation, choosing a quiet, off-the-grid life. In his newfound anonymity, he discovers the peace he always sought—away from screens, teleporters, and the hollow applause of Followers.
MAIN CHARACTERS
Stephen Switzer
Hedley
Greta
Toby Blonstein
TARGET AUDIENCE
Fans of Satirical Sci-Fi & Dark Comedy
People who enjoy thought-provoking, dystopian narratives with a satirical edge, such as Black Mirror, The Truman Show, or Don’t Look Up.
Millennials & Gen Z Viewers Immersed in Social Media Culture
Social media users who can relate to the pressures of online validation, influencer culture, and the obsession with going viral.
Critics of Technological Overreach
Viewers sceptical of technology’s impact on society, especially those interested in exploring its ethical dilemmas and unintended consequences.
Cinephiles Who Appreciate World-Building & Social Commentary
Fans of visually rich, concept-driven films like Brazil (1985) or Her who appreciate narratives that critique societal norms through imaginative storytelling.
COMPARABLES
The Truman Show
This satirical dramedy follows Truman Burbank, an unwitting star of a 24/7 reality show that broadcasts his life to millions. The film explores themes of voyeurism, authenticity, and free will in a media-saturated world. Much like Followers, it critiques the commodification of human experiences for mass entertainment and raises questions about personal agency in a world of artificial spectacle.
Brazil
A surreal, dystopian satire by Terry Gilliam, Brazil depicts a bureaucratic nightmare in a world consumed by technology and rigid social systems. Its dark humor and chaotic world-building resonate with Followers’ depiction of an absurd society where technological advancement has only exacerbated human shallowness and alienation.
Heathers
Followers is similar to Heathers (1989) in its satirical critique of social hierarchies and the dark consequences of chasing popularity. Both works expose the shallow, performative nature of external validation—whether through high school cliques or a dystopian influencer economy. With its biting humour and subversive tone, Followers echoes Heathers’ exploration of how societal obsession with status can lead to absurd and destructive outcomes, reimagined for the digital age.
Her
A quiet, introspective sci-fi about a man who falls in love with an advanced AI operating system, Her explores loneliness and the search for meaningful connection in a tech-driven society. While tonally different, its focus on how technology affects relationships mirrors the themes of Followers, particularly the protagonist’s yearning for authenticity in an artificial world.
THE WRITER
Andrew Wright is a screenwriter and author who has worked in various roles in the film and television industry, alongside Lord Richard Attenborough (Jurassic Park), Dominic West (The Wire), and Kathy Burke (Nil By Mouth). His first student film was co-funded by Terry Gilliam (12 Monkeys).
MUSIC PLAYLIST
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