The devastating effects of social media are widely recognized, and our youngsters need to be educated, guided, and protected from its calamitous repercussions.
Thankfully, someone has finally stepped up to address this urgent need. Debut narration director Jordan Murphy Doidge has crafted Oscar-qualifying short Clout, which sheds powerful light on the modern obsession with clout-chasing.
Plot details of Clout (2025)
Jordan Murphy Doidge helmed Clout, which follows a 13-year-old rebellious Oskar (Archie Yates) who is desperate for attention from his boarding school fellows. He claims he discovered a dead body, soon dismissed by his friends.
In an attempt to seek fame, he resorts to getting online fame that lands him in something sinister, having tragic consequences. Watch the trailer here:
Director’s vision for the film
Jordan Murphy Doidge mainly works with luxury brands but has now morphed himself into a natural storyteller, inspired by real-life events for Clout’s story. His love for cinema was shared with his mom from his early childhood days.
He mentioned in an interview with Muse that the idea that sparked the origins of Clout was his younger siblings, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown. He was the eldest in the family and had first-hand experience.
He wanted to develop it into something that should resonate with a modern audience, fueled by the dark realities of the digital age, just as the classic tale The Boy Who Cried Wolf, a fact verified from Clout film’s official site.
He wanted to keep his character and setting of a private school as authentic as possible. He thought the character of Oskar was going through real challenges of life, such as parents going through a divorce, relentless bullying at school, and the constant struggle to fit into an environment already shaped by deep-rooted cultural stigma.
The assumptions of social and class hierarchy and the subverts adversely affected by these ideologies were the main aim for this character’s portrayal. Amidst all this chaos, Oskar is sympathetic- possibly because of the same vulnerability he has to go through himself.
Doidge is of the view that in order to save the youngsters from falling into this ruinous abyss, elders and parents should stop assuming that they have all the answers and start listening to the teenagers. Young people should feel comfortable talking to their elders and be more friendly in sharing their own experiences.
Communication is the key to engaging with these youngsters and giving them opportunities to empower and bring real change to society, Doidge explained.
Moreover, when talking about the cast, the director deemed Yates as an apt choice as he immediately thought of him after watching Jojo Rabbit (2019). Yates is known for his roles in Home Sweet Home Alone (2021) and Gangsta Granny Strikes Again! (2022).
What makes Oscar-qualifying short Clout the must-watch contender this year?
For a film to be Oscar-qualifying, it must meet the Academy’s strict eligibility rules, one of which is winning a top prize at a specially designated qualifying film festival. By digging deeply into the Academy’s official site, we found that Holly Shorts Film Festivals is a qualifying festival where Clout was broadly applauded.
Even the early reviews on Letterboxed have been heart-warming, as one of them says, “eye-opening and timely”. Another reviewer posted that the film has changed the way she sees social media now, and it was a genuine need of time to insinuate these conversations.
Here are our two cents on why Clout is a must-watch before the award season is in full swing. The film is described as a fusion of The Secret History (a 1992 novel by Donna Tartt), Black Mirror (2011), and Stand By Me (1986), endeavoring to unveil issues of “identity, vulnerability, and the dark side of coming of age online.”
Doidge’s sharp and brutally honest snapshot of the modern generation’s insatiable thirst for digital fame lingers within the hearts of those who have watched it in the initial screenings. Clout has the ability to balance emotions, suspense, and social commentary, not making it just a story but a conversation starter about the hidden costs of clout-chasing and digital validation.
Films are positioned as Oscar contenders by adopting several mechanisms, and one of them is “For Your Consideration (FYC)”. Have a look at the official Instagram post from Clout film, where they have titled it “For Your Consideration.”
An interesting detail worth noticing in this post’s comments is Doidge’s reply to one of the comments asking whether it would be shown in secondary schools. Doidge responded that it has definitely screened at The Brits School last week and is planning on more school screenings as well.
As per Variety, Nela Zielinska, the head of shorts at New Europe Film Sales, said,
“Doidge has crafted a film that captures the zeitgeist with emotional depth and cinematic precision. We believe it will resonate strongly with festival programmers, platforms, and audiences worldwide.” [Source]
When is Clout (2025) releasing worldwide?
New Europe Film Sales has secured the rights for the short film Clout’s distribution. The worldwide release date has not been announced officially as yet.
We’ll keep you posted right here for Clout’s review soon.
Passionate Entertainment Writer | Trusted Pop Culture Voice
Madiha Ali is an experienced entertainment writer with over five years of expertise in covering movies, TV shows, celebrity news, and pop culture. Her bylines appear on trusted platforms like High on Films, Ary News, The Express Tribune, Tea and Banter, Show Snob, CelebFeedz, Snapfeedz, Daily Planet Media, The Irish Insider, and Movie Insiderz.
She brings a personal, insightful approach to every story—whether she’s analyzing the emotional layers of a film or giving her take on trending celebrity headlines. Madiha’s writing style is known for being authentic, well-researched, and reader-focused.
When she’s not writing, she’s fully immersed in the world of entertainment—watching new releases, revisiting classics, exploring behind-the-scenes content, or reading books that fuel her creativity. Her passion for storytelling drives her work and helps her stay connected to what matters most in the industry.
Madiha believes great stories start conversations, challenge perspectives, and stay with us long after the credits roll. Through her writing, she continues to share those stories with clarity, depth, and heart.
Expertise in Entertainment Journalism
Published on Trusted Media Platforms
Audience-Focused & Original Voice
Dedicated to Quality Content
Discover more from MovieInsiderz - Latest Movie Reviews, News & Box Office Updates
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
