Obsessive fandom is a trait changing into all of the extra prevalent in our social media-driven world, however one which’s been explored in a wide range of methods all through the years. Whether or not it is the darkly hilarious heights of the Aubrey Plaza-led Ingrid Goes West, or the brutally terrifying thrills of Stephen King’s Distress, we have gotten an excellent image of its risks.
And but, it is regardless of this prevalence that Alex Russell’s Lurker stands out as one of many freshest takes on the idea in a protracted whereas. On paper, the film is pretty easy, centering on a socially awkward retail retailer employee who, due to an opportunity encounter at his job, falls into the interior circle of an up-and-coming pop star.
But it surely’s the place Russell and his lead stars, Changing into Karl Lagerfeld‘s Théodore Pellerin and Gran Turismo‘s Archie Madekwe, take the fabric that makes it a captivating watch. There is no denying who’s the villain and who’s the sufferer, however due to the forged’s performances and Russell’s energetic course, we’re additionally given sufficient doubt to ponder how the whole lot will prove.
Lurker’s Plot Begins Acquainted However Escalates Compellingly
From compelled encounters between Madekwe’s Oliver and Pellerin’s Matthew, to misreading social cues resulting in uncomfortable developments, Russell will get the film began on a fast but efficient word.
When the film progresses, and Matthew begins to seek out his place challenged by newcomers to the group, that is when Russell actually begins making us squirm. Whereas Pellerin’s character might not go to the identical murderous lengths as extra excessive style efforts, it is his refined sabotages of these round him that make it fascinating and unpredictable what he will do subsequent.
Past the precise thriller nature of the piece, although, Russell’s script additionally affords some thought-provoking reflections on the connection between celebrities and their followers.
Much more compelling is the mid-movie shift by which Matthew finds the final word energy over Oliver to by no means be ousted from his interior circle. Most of the subsequent scenes oscillate between feeling ambiguous and suffocating as we ponder how the rising pop star will proceed.
Past the precise thriller nature of the piece, Russell’s script additionally affords some thought-provoking reflections on the connection between celebrities and their followers. There is no denying Matthew remains to be the villain right here, and but, a few of the explanations of how his habits advantages Oliver really feel surprisingly truthful.
As we glance again by way of the movie’s occasions, and even at its ending, there’s an unlucky actuality that Oliver is modified largely for the higher by Matthew’s obsession, significantly in his profession. Whereas it comes with some devastating bumps — and there is one which the film uncomfortably strikes shortly away from — I used to be nonetheless questioning my very own dynamics with fandoms I am part of.
Pellerin & Madekwe May Not Have Been Higher Forged For Their Components
Having layered materials to work with, a big a part of what makes Lurker shine is its forged, significantly Pellerin and Madekwe. The younger Canadian star does a wonderful job of capturing Matthew’s extra disturbing nature as a lot as his extra sympathetic facet, to the purpose that it is nearly straightforward to really feel sorry for him. Virtually.
Madekwe, contemporary off a heartbreaking flip in Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn, is equally compelling in his flip as Oliver. Beginning as a carefree artist, the English star unlocks intriguing new layers in his character because the movie progresses, significantly when he begins to activate Matthew, and we get a sense he could also be extra of a manipulative determine than we initially assume.
Russell’s Path Is Kinetic & Excellent For This World
Along with offering an excellent script, Russell proves to have a superb eye within the director’s chair. He and cinematographer Pat Scola properly combine a variety of visible kinds for his or her scenes, making explicit use of handheld close-ups, placing us proper into the emotion of every scene.
Whereas this creates a kinetic vitality to maintain us engaged, it is also the proper depiction of Lurker‘s artist-driven world. Oliver and his pals are so typically spontaneous of their actions and behaviors that having a filming model that may equally change on a dime creates such an excellent, dizzying pathway to being absolutely immersed within the story.
Lurker
9/10
- Launch Date
-
August 22, 2025
- Runtime
-
100 minutes
- Director
-
Alex Russell
- Writers
-
Alex Russell
- Producers
-
Alex Orlovsky, Charlie McDowell, Duncan Montgomery, Jack Selby, Archie Madekwe, Francesco Melzi d’Eril, Olmo Schnabel, Galen Core
-
Théodore Pellerin
Matthew
-
- Alex Russell’s script is a captivating exploration of celeb, obsession and energy.
- The course feels properly kinetic and fluid to maintain us hooked and be true to its characters.
- Théodore Pellerin and Archie Madekwe ship awe-inspired performances.
- A few of the extra acquainted obsessed-fan style beats are a tad a lot.
- Matthew’s large motion in opposition to Oliver wanted a bit extra ethical dialogue.