Infamous

It's almost shocking that the "sexy criminal influencer" scenario in this provocative teen film hasn't occurred in real life yet. Infamous is like Bonnie and Clyde meets Natural Born Killers: Like both of those films, it has something to say about how media makes celebrities out of criminals. In this case, though, it's online fans who are responsible for encouraging more crime. They watch the armed robberies that Arielle posts and cheer her on with every like, follow, and positive comment. Infamous won't change society, but at least it offers food for thought around the notion that we make heroes out of those who are willing to do the unthinkable for an audience.

The role of Arielle takes advantage of the reputation Thorne has created for herself -- it's easy to see her as an abrasive, "burn it all down" social media disruptor. And it's that reputation that will draw teens to see her in this role, as well as turn off others at the mention of her name. Manley is capable as ex-con Dean, who mildly fights his girlfriend's fame-seeking criminal notions and whose character is surely an homage to Brad Pitt in Kalifornia -- another lover-on-the-lam movie. In an unfortunate filmmaking choice, Arielle and Dean's gun-toting, Jesus-touting crime spree is sometimes set against pop music like a music video. Between that, the predictability of the script, and the prickly presence of Thorne (who also executive-produces), the film's culturally relevant message is reduced to a snort and an eye roll.