35 Thoughts I Had Watching Netflix’s Bad Influencer

Bad Influencer isn’t your regular story about social media fame and filtered perfection. It’s sharp, layered, and messy in the most fascinating way. Set against the glittering yet unforgiving backdrop of Johannesburg’s influencer economy. The show follows BK (Jo-Anne Reyneke), a single mom and small-time con artist, and Pinky (Cindy Mahlangu), a wannabe influencer whose filtered dreams collide with Johannesburg’s unforgiving reality. Together, they start selling counterfeit luxury handbags online to survive, but what begins as a hustle soon spirals into a high-stakes web of deceit, danger, and desperate ambition.

The series, created by Kudi Maradzika, pulls you straight into the chaotic double life of BK and Pinky who’s equal parts naïve and ambitious. What follows is a tense, stylish, often uncomfortable reflection of what happens when survival meets aspiration.

The show took me on a full emotional rollercoaster; twists, turns, and all the drops I didn’t see coming. It’s been a while since a series hooked me like this. I literally binged Bad Influencer the moment it dropped, and by episode one, I was fully invested. It gives you everything: moments that make you shout “yes, you go girl,” scenes that have you yelling “nooo, why,” and a few that leave your eyes suspiciously watery.

It’s crime and chaos, but also love, loyalty, friendship, and a fair share of catfights and calculated schemes. One second it’s high-glam Sandton energy, the next it’s survival mode in Yeoville. Here are 32 thoughts I had while watching Bad Influencer.

1. Yay, it’s finally out—I’ve been waiting for this one.

2. Okay, I can already tell this is going to be a banger.

3. Leo is such a cutiepie.!!

4. Life is not going well for BK, shame.

5. The way BK switches into gangster mode so smoothly? Goosebumps.

6. These housewives really can’t tell these bags are fake? Disappointed, but also they probably don’t want to drop R100k on the real thing. Comfortable rich, not wealthy wealthy.

7. Not Gorota calling Bridget Radebe right there. Screaming!!

8. Gorota pulling a Karen with “Citizenship arrest” I had to pause.

9. The cinematography of Sandton at night? Chef’s kiss. Whoever shot those skyline scenes deserves an award.

10. Wait… is that Thapelo Mokoena with hair? Captain Themba, we see you!

11. Haven’t seen Joyce (Mandisa Nduna) in a while, they really brought the icons out for this one.

12. “Why do you look so basic?” Classic.

13. Are all influencers this demanding? “Either it’s luxe or I walk” and “El Chippo shoot” had me howling.

14. Not the the loanshark being a hairdresser? Only in South Africa.

15. “Yazi ama slay queen ngiyawashaya mina” the most kasi line ever delivered on Netflix.

16. Noooooo, not Captain Themba actually being a CAPTAIN!

17. BK radiates “I’ve been through things.” You feel it in her silence more than her words.

18. Glad to know I’m not the only one still scared of Hillbrow and Joburg CBD.

19. Pinky was not built for this criminal life. She’s struggling, shame.

20. BK begging to be let out for her kid? That one hit hard.

21. Auntie Pinky’s scene, unexpected and emotional. I felt that one in my chest.

22. I love how the show captures every side of South Africa from Sandton to Hillbrow, and Meadowlands no filter, no judgment.

23. BK might actually heal Pinky’s mommy issues just by showing how she loves her son.

24. The suspense music? Perfect. Especially in that first time meeting Bra Alex scene. Big ups to the sound team.

25. Naomi is giving full-on mean girl Regina George energy.

26. That post-kiss interrogation scene? Jo-Anne Reyneke ate and left no crumbs

27. The dialogue feels real, no forced slang, just South Africans being South Africans.

28. I love that the show never tries to make BK or Pinky “likable.” They’re complicated and that’s the point.

29. There’s something deeply satisfying about women running a criminal enterprise.

30. Trust kids to spill all your secrets, iyyoooh!

31. I really hope they pull this off 5 million in 7 days, ssshhhh!

32. That BK monologue—pure goosebumps.

33. Talk about double betrayal. Cops on one side, Alex on the other. BK just can’t catch a break.

34. Crime does pay twin flame but it also kills.

35. I low-key wanted a happy ending, but BK getting sentenced and going full-on criminal? It tracks. It’s dark, but it’s real.