Social media fame, cyberbullying, and the psychological cost of living online are familiar subjects, but “The Troll” manages to make them entertaining thanks to a committed central performance and an admirably lean runtime.
Written, directed by, and starring Brianna Lee, the psychological thriller follows Bethany, a wildly popular TikTok comedian known to millions as Killa B, relentlessly cheerful, and seemingly scandal free, Bethany has built her entire identity around the approval of her massive online following. But when anonymous user FlyBoy420 leaves a cruel comment that strikes directly at the insecurities instilled by her critical mother and years of bullying, Bethany’s carefully maintained façade begins to crack.
What follows is a darkly comic descent into obsession. Bethany becomes determined to uncover the identity of her tormentor, eventually tracking him down and infiltrating his family under false pretenses. As her quest for revenge escalates, the film blurs the line between victim and villain, examining how internet culture rewards performance while punishing even the smallest perceived imperfections.
Lee delivers a solid performance as a woman whose sense of self worth has become entirely dependent on the validation of strangers. The film offers an effective look at the toll of internet fame and shows how the pressure to maintain a spotless public image can become psychologically corrosive. Rather than preaching about killing trolls with kindness, the film explores what happens when someone simply breaks under the weight of online cruelty.
At a time when many thrillers feel bloated or overloaded with subplots, Lee opts for brevity and tells her story efficiently. It never overstays its welcome, delivering a complete narrative without feeling stretched thin or overstuffed. Short, sweet, and simple, she understands exactly how much story she has to tell.
That said, the story isn’t particularly original, hitting most of the talking points you’d expect. The observations about social media addiction, influencer culture, and cyberbullying aren’t especially profound. These themes have been explored before, and the film rarely uncovers new insights about them.
Still, there’s plenty of entertainment value in watching Bethany’s increasingly unhinged campaign against her online tormentor. The psychological tension remains engaging, and the film’s final twists certainly help.
“The Troll” may not offer groundbreaking commentary on internet culture, but it succeeds as a compact and enjoyable psychological thriller. Thanks to Lee’s strong creative vision and the film’s efficient storytelling, it’s an entertaining look at obsession, cyber revenge, and the dangerous consequences of allowing online validation to define your identity.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 