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Lurker

Play trailer 2:18 Poster for Lurker R In Theaters Fri Aug 22 1h 40m Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 25 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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Lurker

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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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Cast & Crew

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Alex Russell

Director

Théodore Pellerin

Matthew

Archie Madekwe

Oliver

Sunny Suljic

Jamie

Cam Hicks

Sebastian

Chaize Macklin

The Fan

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Critics Reviews

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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 Stephen A. Russell Flicks (AU, NZ, UK) In Alex Rusell’s incendiary debut feature set on the outskirts of LA’s music scene, French-Canadian actor Théodore Pellerin makes a startling impression... Bedlam ensues in a freakishly twisted dance. Jun 18, 2025 Full Review Harris Dang Impulse Gamer Lurker is an unnerving and excruciatingly funny descent into the journey of self-validation. It also proves to be a welcome spit-shine on a Hollywood formula that shows obsession thrillers still have some life left in them. Rated: 4.5/5 Jun 8, 2025 Full Review Robert Kojder Flickering Myth It’s a chilling work from a filmmaker with his finger on the pulse of the digital age and celebrity worship Rated: 3.5/5 May 8, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews
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Lurker

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Lurker

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Movie Info

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