Lurker – Film Review
Reviewed by Harris Dang on the 7th of June 2025
Sydney Film Festival presents a film by Alex Russell
Written by Alex Russell
Produced by Alex Orlovsky, Duncan Montgomery, Jack Selby, Galen Core, Olmo Schnabel, Francesco Melzi D’Eril, Marc Marrie, Charlie McDowell, and Archie Madekwe
Starring Théodore Pellerin, Archie Madekwe, Zack Fox, Havana Rose Liu, Wale Onayemi, Daniel Zolghadri, and Sunny Suljic
Cinematography Pat Scola
Edited by David Kashevaroff
Music by Kenneth Blume
Rating: TBA
Running Time: 100 minutes
Release Date: TBA
Lurker is about Matthew (Theodore Pellerin), a lowly retail worker who is among the legion of fans of up-and-coming pop star Oliver (Archie Madekwe). One day while working, Matthew makes a positive impression on him when Oliver enters his fashion store. While pretending not to know Oliver, Matthew is taken into his entourage, which consists of Shai (Havana Rose Liu), Swett (Zack Fox), Noah (Daniel Zolghadri), Boweh (Wale Onayemi), and Sebastian (Cam Hicks).
Throughout his time with the entourage, he is belittled and taken advantage of due to his introverted attitude. This includes being told to pull his pants down as an initiation. He rises above the ranks and becomes a documentarian of the entourage. Over time, he questions his significance when he realises he is expendable. He then resorts to drastic measures to become closer to Oliver.
Lurker’s synopsis sounds like a ‘90s thriller about obsession in relation to celebrity, jealousy, or prurience. Lurker contends with those, and the legion of copycats, remakes, and revisionist takes. The amount of Lifetime films about obsession alone will boggle one’s mind. Thankfully, like the title of the film, Lurker has more under its simple façade.
Writer and director Alex Russell is best known for his contributions to the acclaimed TV shows Beef and The Bear. While Lurker bears the tropes and beats of 90s thrillers, Russell filters them through modern touches, such as social media and smart technology. In effect, it gives these ideas an immediacy and urgency that feels disturbing and real.
Hearing notifications of a ‘like’ or a friend request online creates instant gratification and sees one’s luck or validation change immediately. One mistake though in the open arena of public opinion can also send one’s luck spiralling. These instances drive the characters to paper over their insecurities or give them a power trip that they will wield like a hammer.
Thankfully, Russell tells his story not with a hammer but an assured hand. By developing his characters and how they interact with one another, the escalation of tension and stakes yields rewards from a character level (Matthew and Oliver go through compelling arcs), a sociological level (the quest for validation through the legion of Oliver fans is widespread) and a psychological level (the cycle of seeking validation is a vortex of humanity and self-respect).
Oliver uses his celebrity persona to hide his insecurities of being second best. Matthew hides his obsession with Oliver and becomes territorial whenever someone becomes the centre of attention. The supporting characters are varying levels of “yes men” or “Oliver’s bitches”. They are either portrayed as desperate, jaded, or comfortable in their positions, making everyone feel similar.
With the character depth, solid thematic backbone, fantastic performances from its overwhelmingly talented rising cast (Pellerin and Madekwe share a messily engaging chemistry), and sharp storytelling instincts (accentuated by the striking 16mm cinematography by Pat Scola and the shrewdly ironic choices in the soundtrack), Russell deftly hooks his audience.
Consequently, he makes the story’s conclusion incredibly satisfying. The film teases a confrontation between Matthew and Oliver. As with a lot of ‘90s thrillers, it becomes a physical confrontation, which would normally see the police involved and one taken out of the equation. It leaves the audience with a feeling of formulaic catharsis that works. The type of confrontation in Lurker is unexpected and the outcome ends the film on a cruelly ironic note that will stay with audiences.
Overall, 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.
Summary: Lurker is an unnerving and excruciatingly funny descent into the journey of self-validation.
4.5
Strong
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