Final Rating: 4/5
Lurker, directed by Alex Russell, isn’t an original story. There have been plenty of films that explore the parasitic nature that fame and fortune bring on. What sets Lurker apart from films of this genre has more to do with how the characters view and latch on to the potential wealth and notoriety.
Oliver, played by Archie Madekwe (of Gran Turismo fame), is a promising new singer who is clearly on a trajectory to become very famous in a short order. He’s handsome, mysterious, mischievous and most of all seems to be the right artist for this moment. He sings pop-tinged synth RnB, along the wavelength that made The Weeknd and Frank Ocean so popular. Oliver is popular with the teens of today, which means they follow his every move on social media and are insatiable with their desire to be in his orbit. That also means, like everything else cool and underground, eventually it will make its way to the mainstream where the real money can be made.
Matthew (Théodore Pellerin), works at a clothing store that sells vintage clothes, designer collaborations and other overpriced merch that is frequented by celebrities who are looking for what is trending fashion wise. As he pretends to not notice the celebrity in his store, he takes over the music selection to show off his own taste and plays a throwback jam that catches Oliver’s attention. This earns Matthew an invite to hang out back stage at an Oliver show and a chance to ingratiate himself into his inner circle.
At that moment, Matthew begins to play a chess game where his opponent is not aware of what is happening. He must start thinking multiple steps ahead, while always being cognizant of those around him can not learn he is playing a board game in order to secure his position. He gets invited to join Oliver’s crew and instantly must fight to make his voice the loudest. He carries around with him an old digital video camera and plans to make sure Oliver becomes dependent on him.
Matthew must separate himself from Oliver’s oldest friends Swett (Zach Fox) and Sebastian (Cam Hicks), his social media person Noah (Daniel Zolghadri) and personal assistant Shai (Havana Rose Liu), not to mention fending off Jamie (Sunny Suljic), Matthew’s co-worker at the clothing store who also wants to be included. From the get go Shai seems to understand what Matthew wants out of a potential transactional relationship. When he is left alone backstage at the first concert, she tells Matthew to make himself useful to Oliver, that way he has to keep him around. But once she starts to see things like how Noah’s spare camera batteries go missing and when Jamie isn’t given visa information at customs, she knows Matthew will do whatever it takes to cement his position.
The film hinges on a fully committed Théodore Pellerin playing Matthew. You can see the wheels turning in his head as each new situation presents itself. When Shai tells him to make himself useful, you see him taking in this information and trying to figure out what the best course of action is. You see him counting the cards on the table to make the most selfish decision, but in an instant before anyone notices, his attitude becomes a nonchalant charm causing confusion in his opponents. Pellerin is channeling his inner Lou Bloom from Nightcrawler, as each maneuver becomes bolder and more reckless.
Archie Madekwe will undoubtedly receive comparisons to his turn in Saltburn, which featured a similar story of a young man conniving his way into high society. In Saltburn, Madekwe played Farleigh, a cousin to the main family who was aware of his hanger on nature and role he must play to maintain access to power and money. Here he plays Ollie, who tries to be oblivious to the transactional nature his friends view him through. He also believes his own hype about potentially being the biggest star in the world, something only Matthew is willing to admit to him out loud, thus stroking his sensitive and growing ego.
The film delves deep into celebrity obsession and worship culture. Despite just helping out with Ollie’s social media and videos, Matthew himself starts to gain notoriety. After he starts to get ostracized from the entourage, Matthew returns to his retail job where two young girls recognize him as being in Oliver’s orbit, thus making him a celebrity too as they try to impress him.
The film can be deeply uncomfortable at times as Matthew’s desire to be on the inside turns from infatuation to obsession. When his antics start to make the rest of the entourage and the golden goose Oliver too uncomfortable, Matthew must up the ante for what he is willing to do. In that moment the film makes a decision that will either work for viewers or turn them off the film completely. This is a testament that writer and director Alex Russell knows that every viewer will be asking, “ok and what happens next”?
Lurker was seen during the 2025 Fantasia Festival. Thank you to Touchwood PR and Mubi for the screener.
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