'Into the Dark': 'New Year, New You' paints a very dark and toxic picture of social media influencer culture

Friends turn against each other as a result of the social media pressure that we are shrouded by in the 82-minute long episode directed by Indie filmmaker Sophia Takal
PUBLISHED DEC 31, 2018

Horrifying twists to popular festivals have been a favorite trope of the horror genre for a while now, but Hulu's new anthology series, 'Into the Dark,' does a beautiful job of clubbing those festive horrors together in monthly thematic episodes.

Releasing once a month, these episodes focus on a terrifying twist to the festival that best represents  the month it release in, which meant that the one releasing on December 28, 'New Year, New You,' had a lot riding on it.

First of all, there haven't been many New Year centric horror on TV or even films for that matter. Secondly, the episode focuses on the booming social media 'influencer' culture, a relevant and ubiquitous modern phenomena that is just being mined for its cinematic possibilities. 

But the fourth episode of 'Into the Dark' does not disappoint, bringing out the vices that the desperate hunger to climb the social media ladder entails, and with its signature satirical twist to it, 'New Year, New You' is spot on, crisp, and relatable in ways that's often creepy.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Netflix dropped the entire Season 2 of 'Beef' on Thursday for the perfect binge watch, and now fans want to know whether there will be another season.
17 minutes ago
Camilla Ludington opened up about what the audience can expect from 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 22 finale in a recent interview.
1 hour ago
The latest edition of the Netflix anthology 'Beef' follows three pairs of characters with distinct issues, all of which converge into a major mess.
1 hour ago
With the 'Tracker' Season 3 finale closing in, truths about Colter’s past start to crack open, setting the stage for tougher choices in Season 4.
2 hours ago
'Beef' Season 2 is set against the backdrop of Monte Vista Point, a prestigious country club
4 hours ago
‘The White Lotus’ Season 4 begins filming as HBO reveals new plot, cast and new setting, with the story unfolding during Cannes Festival.
6 hours ago
A familiar agent returns to New York for high-risk cases, but a new partner and rising threats may push even a seasoned team to its limits
7 hours ago
All three shows will go on their final break ahead of their upcoming finales, scheduled to air on May 13
7 hours ago
‘Doc’ Season 2 finale delivers an emotional twist for Dr. Joan Ridley, leaving fans heartbroken while teasing a possible return in Season 3.
21 hours ago
While it can be described as a filler episode of sorts, 'The Boys' Season 5 Episode 3 sets the tone of what to expect in the remaining five episodes.
1 day ago