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Lurker

Play trailer 2:18 Poster for Lurker R 2025 1h 40m Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 113 Reviews 85% 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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Wendy Ide Guardian Dec 12
The film is so acerbic that watching it at times feels like being attached to a drip-feed of pure venom. And while it may not sound like it, that’s high praise indeed. Go to Full Review Mark Kermode Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube) Dec 12
It's all very believably done. Go to Full Review Linda Marric HeyUGuys Dec 11
4/5
This is a confident, quietly unnerving debut, bolstered by restrained performances and a purposeful lo-fi aesthetic. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 4d
2.5/4
...a well-made (and promising) debut feature for Russell.... Go to Full Review Steve Newall Flicks (AU, NZ, UK) Jan 8
Could have come to an abrupt stop and satisfied as a character study, but finds a final act to lurk longer in your post-movie recollections. Go to Full Review Brian Viner Daily Mail (UK) Dec 17
4/5
Excruciatingly tense, this is a brilliantly assured directorial debut from Alex Russell. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ben W Oct 27 Very good. Love the commentary on groupies and transactional relationships. See more John L Sep 17 Although compared to Saltbourne, it doesn't come close. Disjointed story line and character development. See more Marvin Sep 12 An uncomfortable but also a clever and thrilling experience See more Juandi Sep 12 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. See more Film Buff Sep 11 Tense, clever, and well-paced. A fantastic thriller! See more Just Here for the Popcorn Sep 10 It was ok. Popcorn review: Dry. But the Coke Zero had some bang to it. See more Read all reviews
Lurker

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Cast & Crew

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Alex Russell

Director

Théodore Pellerin

Matthew

Archie Madekwe

Oliver

Sunny Suljic

Jamie

Cam Hicks

Sebastian

Chaize Macklin

The Fan

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Lurker

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Lurker

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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 (Some Sexual Content|Language Throughout)
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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