Bold, beautiful and a little messy — just like the world it mirrors

SOME shows are critic-proof. And Bad Influencer exemplifies this. The rave reviews, with radio personality Anele Mdoda giving it her stamp of approval, say it all.

- DEBASHINE THANGEVELO

Now | don’t want to be a damp squib with my write-up, not that I’m trying to be either, but I wouldn’t call it a flawless offering. The seven-part series has an excellent cast and a relatable narrative.

But let me not beat around the bush here. It’s an engaging and, at times, frustrating watch. Allow me to qualify my statement.

In this social-media era of influencers, where likes equal clout, the soft life has become an aspirational goal.

This series, produced by Gambit Films and developed by Lincoln Green Media, cleverly taps into this content creator world and all it entails with blessers, fake friends and wannabes, while juxtaposing it with the hustle of a single mother.

BK (Jo-Anne Reyneke) is a street-smart single mother of an autistic young boy, Leo (Mpilo Shabalala). In an attempt to make 200k so that she can send him to a school where his interests will be harnessed and he won't be bullied, she comes up with a dangerous plan: selling fake designer bags.

Her meticulous attention to detail is her signature mark. However, she lacks a platform that will give her access to her target market.

This is where mid-level influencer Pinky (Cindy Mahlangu) comes into the picture. However, the partnership is rocky from the get-go.