The Wasteland Reviewer

Lurker (2025) Written Review

What is so terrifying about obsessive fans in the world of celebrities? Human beings certainly have the capacity to do some horrible things to each other and can present a will so strongly that it is quite unnerving. Many people have things in life that they become obsessive about but certainly take them to a whole new level. Celebrities live lives that are so open and out there to people that an obsessive person might truly believe they are friends and really care about you. Some people might also see an opportunity to leverage the fame of celebrities for their own personal gain. One day, that person might even reach the level of celebrity and gain all the benefits of such a life including exposure. Alex Russel and Mubi deliver quite the exploration of the web of attention seeking behavior and obsession in the form of Lurker. 

With a story like this being ripe for tension and suspense, does Russell deliver in crafting such an environment? Lurker is a tense, unnerving, and twisted experience that will make you feel so many uncomfortable feelings. The tension and suspense are palpable as Russell crafts a feeling of unease in every scene. There are always situations in this film with uncomfortable interactions with Russell and cinematographer Pat Scola leans into close-ups and other intimate shots that force the audience into a claustrophobic space with the characters in the film. There is a rich and texture look to the film too that combines a contemporary vibe with a more classic cinematic feel. The filmmaking aspects of the film are top notch for sure, and Russell will hook you from the opening scene and keep you in discomfort until the end. Bonus points for the leveraging of music to set the scene as well which matches the vibes of the film well. 

The direction of the film works quite well but does the script (also from Russell) deliver too? The narrative seems quite simple. You have this aspiring photographer who becomes part of a musician’s crew and slowly gets more attached and controlling. That is the whole film boiled down into a sentence but there are so many layers of this experience thematically. The way that Matthew jumps headlong into this experience is uncomfortable. Russell finds plenty of natural beats that make this film so unnerving and tense. Some moments include Matthew being bullied by Oliver’s crew, the lying sequence in the airport, the trainwreck of a professional shoot, and then a moment of two bros just wrestling around (this was SO uncomfortable to watch). Russell has a great understanding of human interactions and how things can get uncomfortable and put you in such an unnerving position. The way that the dynamic between Matthew and Oliver becomes so symbiotic and their need for attention and obsession fuels each other’s toxic traits. The narrative and characters might be a bit too challenging and alienating, which puts the audience at a distance but there is so much tension and sharp thematic work that Russell is still able to deliver such a compelling and immersive cinematic experience.

Where does this cast fit into the equation to bring Russell’s film to life? The two-pronged monsters of Theodore Pellerin and Archie Madekwe are what really brings life blood into the film. There are supporting turns that deliver (more on that later) but Lurker would not work without committed performances like what Pellerin and Madekwe deliver. This film is filled with so many scenes that are filled with subtext and what is not said. With such a film, you need performers who can convincingly deliver complex emotions through their physicality. Pellerin delivers a performance that is so rich especially with how he carries himself and expresses those discomforting elements. You can feel his body language change whenever this insatiable hunger for attention and acknowledgement from Oliver is not quenched. You can see his unnerving presence build as he gains more power in the dynamic. The way he shifts from submissive and small to direct and controlling creates such an impactful discomfort for the audience. Madekwe on the other hand goes on an impressive journey of aloofness and confidence to desperation and insecurity right before the camera’s eye. Charismatic for sure but Madekwe brings layers to show that there is plenty of desperation underneath the surface as well. Sunny Suljic, Havana Rose Liu, and Daniel Zolghadri all feel so natural in navigating these uncomfortable situations with Zack Fox doing an excellent job at creating said situations with Pellerin. 

Does Russell have a poignant and impactful thriller on his hands? Lurker makes for a compelling and engaging exploration of obsession and fame which stabs deep into modern society. A pair of compelling lead performances really anchor the experience and allow the audience to feel the weight of the character work and themes. This is a well-made and effective cinematic experience that strikes a chord for sure.