Lurker

Play trailer

2:18

Lurker

R

In Theaters Fri Aug 22

1h 40m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

Popcornmeter

0 Ratings

A screw-turning psychological thriller made for the moment, LURKER is the razor-sharp directorial debut from The Bear and Beef writer-producer Alex Russell. When twenty-something Los Angeles retail clerk and loner Matthew (Théodore Pellerin) encounters rising pop star Oliver (Saltburn’s Archie Madekwe), he takes the opportunity to edge his way into the in-crowd. But staying there isn't easy. With an entire entourage (Bottoms' Havana Rose Liu, Abbott Elementary's Zack Fox, Y2K's Daniel Zolghadri, mid90s' Sunny Suljic) vying for attention, Matthew must prove himself to Oliver as more than just a follower. As their bond grows strained and mainstream fame appears within reach, access and proximity become a matter of life and death. Online fixation meets reality in this parasocial, paranoid cat-and-mouse film driven by star-making performances. With an incisive view to contemporary culture and a brilliant score from Kenny Beats (known for his work with Vince Staples), LURKER presents an exhilarating take on the music industry, the blurred line between friend and fan, and our universal search for validation.

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In Theaters Fri Aug 22

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Critics Consensus

Devilishly examining the intersection of fame and obsession to thrilling effect, Alex Russell's directorial debut delivers on all fronts.

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Alex Russell

Director

Théodore Pellerin

Matthew

Archie Madekwe

Oliver

Sunny Suljic

Jamie

Cam Hicks

Sebastian

Chaize Macklin

The Fan

Aisha Harris

NPR

Both actors have been around for a minute but their moody chemistry together as the star-struck barnacle and the self-serious artist crackles on screen, and could very well mark a turning point in their careers.

Feb 28, 2025

Full Review

David Fear

Rolling Stone

Alex Russell’s filmmaking debut somehow managed to take a well-worn subject -- the disparity of power between the famous and the famous-adjacent -- and make it feel fresh, dangerous and so cringe-comedic that you wanted to cover your eyes.

Feb 28, 2025

Full Review

Marshall Shaffer

Slant Magazine

The artist and audience member are coequal—and codependent—in this perceptive drama about a parasocial relationship that enters the realm of reality.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 16, 2025

Full Review

Sara Clements

Peliplat

Lurker is a razor-sharp descent into obsession, identity, and the toxic allure of fame.

Jul 29, 2025

Full Review

Emma Vine

Loud and Clear Reviews

Steeped in discomfort, thrills, and an excessive desire for power and control among its characters, Lurker excels in tension, surprises, and high stakes. Russell’s film career can only go up from here.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jul 29, 2025

Full Review

Nathan Chizen

Exclaim!

Encapsulates the warped ideal that has taken hold of countless hopefuls and clout-chasers alike.

Rated: 7/10

Jul 24, 2025

Full Review

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Lurker: Trailer 1

2:18

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Synopsis

A screw-turning psychological thriller made for the moment, LURKER is the razor-sharp directorial debut from The Bear and Beef writer-producer Alex Russell. When twenty-something Los Angeles retail clerk and loner Matthew (Théodore Pellerin) encounters rising pop star Oliver (Saltburn’s Archie Madekwe), he takes the opportunity to edge his way into the in-crowd. But staying there isn't easy. With an entire entourage (Bottoms' Havana Rose Liu, Abbott Elementary's Zack Fox, Y2K's Daniel Zolghadri, mid90s' Sunny Suljic) vying for attention, Matthew must prove himself to Oliver as more than just a follower. As their bond grows strained and mainstream fame appears within reach, access and proximity become a matter of life and death. Online fixation meets reality in this parasocial, paranoid cat-and-mouse film driven by star-making performances. With an incisive view to contemporary culture and a brilliant score from Kenny Beats (known for his work with Vince Staples), LURKER presents an exhilarating take on the music industry, the blurred line between friend and fan, and our universal search for validation.

Director: Alex Russell
Producer: Alex Orlovsky, Duncan Montgomery, Galen Core, Charlie McDowell, Archie Madekwe, Olmo Schnabel, Marc Marrie, Francesco Melzi d'Eril, Jack Selby
Screenwriter: Alex Russell
Distributor: MUBI
Production Co: Va Bene Productions, MeMo Films, Case Study Films, High Frequency Entertainment, Arts and Sciences Department
Rating: R (Language Throughout|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 22, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 40m