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Lurker

Play trailer 2:18 Poster for Lurker R Aug 2025 1h 40m Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 94 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 50+ Verified 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

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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Critics Reviews

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Hannah Strong Little White Lies Lurker is an excellent showcase for the talents of Théodore Pellerin and an intriguing first step as a feature filmmaker for Alex Russell. Sep 24, 2025 Full Review Ty Burr Washington Post The American Dream of being seen curdled into a nightmarish hall of mirrors. Rated: 3.5/4 Sep 5, 2025 Full Review Coleman Spilde Salon.com Lurker feels less like a narrative thriller and more like a chilling, genuine document of how easy it’s become to manipulate those around us in a hyper-digital world, where the mere proximity to celebrity can be as powerful as celebrity itself. Aug 29, 2025 Full Review Adam Sweeting The Arts Desk It’s an intriguing premise, and Lurker makes some shrewd points about the imbalance between stars and star-f******, though it starts to run out of gas as the story develops. Oct 15, 2025 Full Review Liselotte Vanophem Geek Vibes Nation a masterclass in social psychology and a slow-burning depiction of obsession, deception, fame, and fandom all in one. Rated: 8.5/10 Oct 9, 2025 Full Review Mary Beth McAndrews Dread Central Alex Russell’s feature film debut, Lurker, is a terrifying portrait of obsession in the digital age, bolstered by an incredible cast and deeply unsettling script. Rated: 5/5 Oct 3, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ben W Very good. Love the commentary on groupies and transactional relationships. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/27/25 Full Review John L Although compared to Saltbourne, it doesn't come close. Disjointed story line and character development. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/17/25 Full Review Marvin An uncomfortable but also a clever and thrilling experience Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/12/25 Full Review Juandi This film is an interesting ride. It does a good job at making you feel you’re experiencing the events in real time. I do feel there were several unanswered questions & missed opportunities. Overall, the story lacked & didn’t fully land for me. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/12/25 Full Review Film Buff Tense, clever, and well-paced. A fantastic thriller! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/11/25 Full Review Just Here for the Popcorn It was ok. Popcorn review: Dry. But the Coke Zero had some bang to it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/10/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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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
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 10, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA)
$631.6K
Runtime
1h 40m
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