CLOUT

By Nicole Kent

10/09/2025

Clout, directed by Jordan Murphy Doidge and co-written with Tom Duthie, is a cautionary tale that examines the corrosive influence of social media through the lives of four close friends at an elite boarding school.

Archie Yates, the breakout star of Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit, takes on the role of Oskar, a kind-hearted teenager who spirals into obsession in pursuit of online fame. The film builds toward a shocking conclusion that underscores the dangers of surrendering to the addictive pull of social media, which often fosters delusion and distorts reality.

Scientific research supports these themes, showing that repeated exposure to social media, can overstimulate the brain’s reward system and in excessive cases, trigger neural pathways akin to those linked with addiction. Heavy use has further been associated with sleep disruption, attention difficulties, and heightened feelings of exclusion—factors that are particularly concerning during adolescence.

The film skilfully mirrors the online world by incorporating on-screen discussion threads, immersing viewers in the relentless flow of digital interaction while exposing how seemingly harmless obsessions can unravel, lives, and ultimately lead to destruction. It leaves audiences with a powerful message: think twice before your next doomscroll.

The cast also features Nadine Marshall (Tatami, Bob Marley: One Love), Anna Wilson-Jones (Victoria, Black Mirror), Samuel Leakey (Gretel & Hansel), and Kit Price, a real-life social media influencer. Produced by Francis Chapman (Sundance winner for In The Summers) under Pimlico Pictures.