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When a twenty-something retail clerk encounters a rising pop star, he takes the opportunity to edge his way into the in-crowd. But as the line between friend and fan blurs beyond recognition, access and proximity become a matter of life and death.
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- Ravi Oliveira7d agoSynopsis: Matthew, a bored retail worker, infiltrates the inner circle of Oliver, a rising musician. As Matthew's obsession grows, the line between friendship and unhealthy fixation blurs, turning his quest for fame and proximity into a dangerous matter of life and death. Review: "Lurker," the debut film by Alex Russell, attempts to delve into the complex relationship between fame and obsession a highly relevant theme in today's society. The narrative centers on Matthew Morning, a shop worker catapulted into the world of celebrity after a chance encounter with musician Oliver. While the premise offers an intriguing foundation for a psychological thriller, the plot's execution leaves something to be desired. The characters are introduced with potential, yet the emotional depth that could have elevated the story is often sacrificed for sequences that drag or could have been more concise. The dynamic between Matthew and Oliver is interesting, but it lacks the depth needed to make the relationship truly convincing. The resistance Oliver's friends show toward accepting Matthew presents a promising source of conflict, yet it is explored only superficially. Visually, the film bears the influence of renowned directors like Polanski, but at times, the aesthetic choices fail to translate into a satisfying narrative impact. The suspenseful atmosphere which could have been palpable loses momentum due to uneven pacing and a lack of development during key moments. The intention to address how pop culture shapes human interactions and contemporary obsessions is valid, but the execution ultimately leaves a sense of disjointedness. "Lurker" has a premise that could have been realized more effectively; instead, it gets lost in its own ambition, failing to deliver the intensity and emotional claustrophobia expected of the genre. Consequently, while the film has its interesting moments, it falls short of the potential it initially promised.
- Kevin WardJuly 28, 2025I’d heard the buzz out of Sundance, so I was really glad to catch this at Fantasia—and it definitely lived up. Really assured and well-crafted film from Alex Russell about obsession, proximity to fame, and the crash that comes when you're no longer in someone’s orbit. Archie Madekwe is magnetic as Oliver, a rising star with that effortless draw—even more so than in Saltburn. But the real standout is Théodore Pellerin, playing Matthew with this soft, eerie intensity that slowly creeps under your skin. It’s about the high of being close to greatness—and the brutal comedown when that’s taken away. Addiction, withdrawal, identity collapse. Ends on a fantastic beat—abrupt and jarring, but so perfect. Really loved it.
- Josh CMay 29, 2026This was a decent movie. Going in, I didn't know a whole lot about it, but it never feels like it totally gets off the ground. Definitely much more a drama than a thriller. Had I known more about this movie, I probably would have skipped it, but it wasn't bad.....I just wish it would have had a little more of a punch to it.
- cultfilmlikerSeptember 10, 2025Friendship is cutthroat Put Zack Fox in everything ever This year’s (tamed down) Red Rooms I am lucky to have never entered a celebrity’s orbit lmfao Ingrid Goes West meets Whiplash meets (insert obsessive movie here) Sometimes you gotta be content! Would love for Sunny to actually change his hair just once. Poor pathetic little Bob Am I just now noticing people singing (usually original) songs in every film or is this some strange ultra trend?? Wait, oh shit, that was Kenny Beats!? Okay, that part’s cool. Watched at Warren Regal East Added to 2025 Ranked
- DavidBunnyDadApril 2, 2026Sort of a Gen Z ``All About Eve,'' ``Lurker'' is a surprisingly mature and effective film, anchored by Archie Madekwe's believable turn as a rising pop singer (the music is pretty good) and suitably skeevy work from Théodore Pellerin as the sycophant who's either the best or worst thing that's ever happened to him. The film really earns its plaudits with a strong third act that eschews the cheap thriller plot crutches it could have so easily leaned on for something more challenging and thought-provoking.
- Oʂɯαʅԃσ RσყҽƚƚNovember 1, 2025The film is solid. Beautiful shots of Los Angeles, clean script that doesn't over explain and creates an intriguing narrative without relying heavily on dialogue. The actors were all fantastic and it has a rawness to it. The character development takes its time and the lead is fleshed out well.
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Lurker was released on August 22, 2025.
Lurker was directed by Alex Russell.
Lurker has a runtime of 1h 40m.
Lurker was produced by Marc Marrie, Francesco Melzi d'Eril, Archie Madekwe, Jack Selby, Duncan Montgomery, Galen Core, Alex Orlovsky, Charlie McDowell, Olmo Schnabel.
When a twenty-something retail clerk encounters a rising pop star, he takes the opportunity to edge his way into the in-crowd. But as the line between friend and fan blurs beyond recognition, access and proximity become a matter of life and death.
The key characters in Lurker are Matthew (Théodore Pellerin), Oliver (Archie Madekwe), Shai (Havana Rose Liu).
Lurker is rated R.
Lurker is a Thriller, Crime, Drama film.
Lurker has an audience rating of 8.5 out of 10.
Lurker has made $456K at the box office.