Lurker may not be a film for everyone. I went in thinking it wouldn't be for me at all and ended up loving the emotional journey I went through, and especially the ending. This one is out now.
“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, mid90’s 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.”
Alex Russell’s feature directorial debut Lurker is a squirm-inducing, razor-sharp look at obsession, fame, and the toxic hunger for visibility in the social media age. Théodore Pellerin stars as Matthew, a seemingly unassuming Los Angeles retail worker who spots rising pop star Oliver (Archie Madekwe) in his boutique and expertly engineers his way into the singer’s entourage. What begins as calculated networking spirals into a tense, shifting power dynamic where access and belonging become the only thing that matters.
The film delivers some of the most pointed commentary on the younger generation and how society views fame that I’ve seen in recent years. It nails modern celebrity culture, where validation comes from likes, proximity to influencers, and the illusion of being “inside” the circle. Russell captures the emptiness of chasing relevance through someone else’s spotlight, the performative friendships, and the way ambition can twist into something predatory. It’s uncomfortable and insightful, holding up a mirror to how today’s youth navigate identity and worth in an influencer-driven world. I’ll be perfectly honest, reading the synopsis before viewing the film I went in with no expectations. As someone who doesn’t have social media factor in to any portion of his every day life, that world of influencers, Tik-Tok stars and auto-tune artists is probably the furthest thing from interesting to me. What I came to realize by the end it wasn’t a celebration of that lifestyle, it wasn’t just using that lifestyle as a setting to tell a story about some creepy stalker, it actually makes you think quite profoundly about the world around us and how much its changed.
Lurker is hard to watch at times, but that cringe factor works powerfully in its favor. The awkward manipulations, the petty jealousies within the entourage, and the slow erosion of boundaries make you feel strongly about what’s unfolding, often leaving a knot in your stomach. The performances are incredible across the board. Pellerin is mesmerizing as Matthew, layering quiet calculation with flashes of genuine vulnerability. Madekwe brings charisma and fragility to Oliver, while the supporting cast (including Zack Fox, Havana Rose Liu, and Daniel Zolghadri) nails the petty, competitive energy of the other people in the group. The shifting perspectives on the characters keep you off-balance and by the end, you’re not exactly sure what to think about anyone, which adds to the film’s lingering unease.
The one thing that doesn’t work in Lurker’s favor is that it feels hard to categorize. Calling it a psychological thriller seems a bit misleading, as it doesn’t deliver traditional suspense or scares. Instead, it’s more of a slow-burn character study and social satire dressed in thriller clothing. Some viewers may feel a bit lost with the expectations of the trailer, as it definitely is different from the film itself.
Video
MUBI’s Blu-ray release presents the film in 1080p High Definition in 2.39:1 aspect ratio. The video quality has certain intentional low-quality elements that make it feel as though it was filmed ‘on the road’, documentary style. There are natural colors in the bright LA boutiques and moody, desaturated tones in the nighttime house parties and backstage scenes. Fine detail in facial expressions and textures keeps the uncomfortable intimacy front and center.
Audio
Audio is delivered in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, creating an immersive soundscape for the pulsing club tracks, whispered conversations, and tense silences. Dialogue remains crisp and centered, while the modern soundtrack and ambient party noise fill the surrounds effectively. It’s a clean, engaging mix that heightens the social unease.
Special Features
There are no extras on this disc, which was unfortunate given how much I ended up enjoying the film and would’ve liked to hear the director’s take on his commentary on society.
Lurker on Blu-ray is a bold, uncomfortable debut that lingers long after the credits roll. Its sharp commentary on fame, the younger generation’s hunger for relevance, and those gut-punch cringe moments make it worth seeking out, even if it defies easy genre labels. Any preconceptions you may have because of the subject of the story, it’s well worth checking out, as it’s been a long time since a film has made me feel so many different things all at once and still end up surprising me at the end. This one hit shelves March 3 and is out now. It’s definitely one for fans of character-driven unease and timely social satire.