The Troll is a clever and funny thriller that tackles the violence of the internet

Online comments can be vicious, and they're easy for people to make when they're anonymous. One especially mean comment in the movie The Troll sends the main character, Killa B, played by writer and director Brianna Lee, on a quest to make the commentor pay for what he said about her. The Troll is a wildly entertaining thriller about the effects that online spaces can have and how deeply they can affect someone.

Killa B is internet famous. There's a great shot in the movie where several young women, who don't look older than middle school age, all hold up their phones simultaneously to watch Killa B's latest video. She's so famous that she has a personal assistant, played by Katy Frame, and various stylists. Her videos gain millions of views and countless likes. Killa B clearly loves what she does, but one day, an anonymous user posts a string of nasty comments about her, declaring that she's well past her prime. He also attacks her physical appearance and even claims that she has a man face.

This sets Killa B on an unstoppable path to find out who made the comment, and eventually, she traces it to a high school student named Josh (Greg Saridakis). Killa B does an event every year where she meets one of her fans and spends the day with him or her. She orchestrates it so she winds up at Josh's high school, speaking in a gymnasium of adoring fans, and she singles out Josh to spend the day with her.

Much of this film works really well. For one, it has a heck of a lot of humor and it's incredibly stylish, from the clothing choices to a moment where Killa B makes a video and performs a song that goes on for about three minutes. This is a movie made in the shadow of the TikTok dance videos, and it certainly understands that specific brand of influencer culture. Additionally, the film complicates the typical thriller/revenge narrative because it makes Killa B both the victim and the aggressor. This may leave the audience torn about the actions she takes against Josh, especially the ending, which won't be spoiled in this review. Yet, prior to any of that, she gives heartfelt dialogues about how damaging these online comments can be. There is a moment or two where the dialogue feels like it's trying too hard, but that doesn't lessen the points that the script makes. Indeed, online communities can be sewers in terms of the comment sections. This movie shows the profound impact that can have on a young woman's mental health.

Another strength here lies with the movie's run time. This feature clocks in at about 80 minutes. It never drags, and it also balances the laughs with the thriller and revenge elements. In short, this is a well-crafted script, and Lee has to be credited for handling the directing and writing duties, while also starring in the feature.

Lee already has a number of short films to her name in the comedy and horror genres. The Troll shows her talents as a filmmaker to watch. This is a smart and stylish film that turns the victim into the aggressor, while addressing how toxic online communities can be, especially to female creatives.

The Troll just had its world premiere at the Radiance Film Festival 2026.

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