Cager Klarxon’s Loading… is a jarring, visceral debut that strips the glossy veneer off influencer culture and dissects it to the bone and sometimes quite literally. This novella dives headfirst into the world of Marshall, a sex worker who becomes an unwilling subject of what most influencers are chasing: virality—but in a deeply horrific form.
Marshall isn’t your typical horror protagonist. He’s already emotionally numb from the nature of his work, even before the real nightmare begins. Klarxon uses this detachment to powerful effect as Marshall’s body is overtaken by a foreign presence and broadcast live to millions. What’s wild is that it stops being about the horror shown on screen—and becomes more about what it says about us as a society.
The novella shines most when it leans into its body horror roots. Klarxon taps into our obsession with digital fame, online identity, and how we consume it until it seeps into our real lives.
The pacing feels rushed, especially near the end, but somehow it works. The story feels like it needed that momentum—though at the same time, you’re left wanting more. If you know, you know.
Loading… isn’t for everyone. It’s chaotic, disturbing, and very experimental but I admire the boldness and imagination Klarxon brings in tackling these themes and asking uncomfortable questions about the world we’re living in now: a global culture of clout chasers. If you’re into speculative and weird horror stories, this is definitely one to check out—before it goes viral.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Publication Date: October 14, 2025
Publisher: Surrender Point Press
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