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Streaming: Lurker (2025) by Alex Russell: The Unsettling Dance of Fame and Obsession

A Chilling Dive into Psychological Thriller Lurker is a psychological thriller film directed and written by Alex Russell, who makes his feature film debut. The movie has a run time of 1h 40m and is rated R for language and some sexual content. The plot follows a retail employee named Matthew (Théodore Pellerin) who becomes obsessed with a rising music star, Oliver (Archie Madekwe). As Matthew meticulously and dangerously infiltrates Oliver's inner circle, what begins as admiration spirals into a chilling tale of obsession, manipulation, and power, where proximity to fame becomes a matter of life and death. The film also stars Sunny Suljic.

Why to watch this movie: A Tense and Unique Thriller

  • A Chilling and Unpredictable Narrative: The film's storyline is described as a "razor-wire dance of admiration, control, and obsession." It avoids predictability, constantly shifting and surprising the audience, which makes for a tense and engaging viewing experience.

  • Outstanding Performances: The performances of the lead actors, particularly Théodore Pellerin, have been lauded by critics. Pellerin is described as "magnetic," "vulnerable," and "chillingly unpredictable," carrying the film with his compelling portrayal of a fragile yet unhinged character.

  • Relevant and Disturbing Themes: The movie tackles a number of unsettling themes, including celebrity culture, obsession, and the blurred lines between admiration and destruction. It makes the audience feel "uncomfortable," forcing them to confront the darker side of fame and fandom.

  • Impressive Direction for a Debut: Despite being Alex Russell's first feature film, critics have praised his direction, calling it "slick," "unsettling," and "deeply absorbing." The film's atmosphere is described as both intimate and suffocating.

What Trend is followed?: The Obsessive Character Study The film follows the trend of the "obsessive character study," a genre that has gained popularity with films like Saltburn and shows like The Bear. This trend focuses on a central character who, driven by intense desire or psychological instability, slowly infiltrates and disrupts the life of another, creating a sense of psychological claustrophobia for the audience. The film also has "homoerotic undertones," a trend seen in recent films exploring complex male relationships.

  • A Central Character with a Singular Obsession: The film centers on Matthew, whose entire trajectory is driven by his singular desire to be a part of Oliver's life. His internal feelings of loneliness and a desire for social validation are the primary momentum of the film, rather than an external plot.

  • Psychological Exploration over External Plot: Similar to classic character studies like Taxi Driver or Black Swan, Lurker prioritizes the deep psychological dive into Matthew's mind. The film's tension comes from his calculated manipulations and the audience's growing unease with his behavior, rather than from traditional action or suspense sequences.

  • A Modern Take on a Classic Trope: While films like Fatal Attraction and Misery have explored obsessive stalker narratives, Lurker updates this genre for the digital age by focusing on the "parasocial relationships fostered by celebrity" and the "chronically online" culture that feeds such obsessions.

  • Uncomfortable and Unsettling Themes: The film's power comes from making the audience feel "uncomfortable" and forcing them to confront their own relationship with celebrity and social media. It is not simply a horror or thriller but a cautionary tale that examines the disturbing reality of fan obsession.

Director's Vision: An Intimate and Suffocating Atmosphere

  • Minimalist Storytelling: Director Alex Russell creates an "unsettling" and "intriguing narrative without relying heavily on dialogue," allowing the tension and discomfort to build through visuals and character interactions.

  • Focus on Psychological Tension: The director’s vision centers on creating an "intimate and suffocating" atmosphere. The film is a "character-driven psychological drama" that aims to make the audience feel "icky throughout, based on what was happening."

  • Artistic Choices: Russell utilizes specific camera work, including "video-camera-style footage" at times, to create a sense of realism and voyeurism, even if this choice was noted by some as being distracting.

Themes: Admiration, Control, and the Dark Side of Fame

  • Obsession and Infatuation: The central theme explores how admiration can quickly morph into dangerous obsession. The main character's actions are driven by a yearning for proximity and approval, which turns into a destructive force.

  • Power Dynamics: The film is a "razor-wire dance" that examines the shifting power dynamics between a celebrity and a fan. It questions who truly holds the power when a fan's knowledge becomes a tool for control and manipulation.

  • The Consequences of Celebrity Culture: The movie acts as a "cautionary tale" about the dangers of celebrity worship and the lengths to which individuals will go to feel a connection to fame. It explores the dark side of online stalking and the erosion of personal boundaries.

Key success factors: Rawness, Tension, and a Strong Script

  • The Lead Performance: Théodore Pellerin’s performance is a major success factor. His portrayal of Matthew is described as "magnetic" and "chillingly unpredictable," and he is central to the film's ability to create tension and discomfort.

  • Narrative Unpredictability: The film's ability to constantly "shift" and "shift again" keeps the audience engaged. Its "unpredictable" nature ensures a "strong viewing" experience that is not easily forgotten.

  • Artistic and Stylish Execution: The film is called a "very well done, unique, arthouse thriller" with "amazing" visuals and a "techno-club score." Its stylish and artistic approach makes it stand out from a typical thriller.

Awards and Nominations: A Promising Start on the Festival Circuit

  • Total Nominations: The film has received 3 nominations total at two different film festivals.

  • Deauville Film Festival: It was a 2025 Nominee for the Grand Special Prize.

  • San Sebastián International Film Festival: It received two nominations in 2025: the Sebastiane Award for Best Film and the Zabaltegi-Tabakalera Prize for Best Film in the Zabaltegi-Tabakalera Competition. All nominations are for director and writer Alex Russell.

Critics reception: A Well-Received Debut Lurker has been met with generally positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 94% Tomatometer score with critics praising it as a "deviously entertaining" and "riveting thriller." On Metacritic, the film has a Metascore of 79 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.

  • Rotten Tomatoes: The film holds a 94% Tomatometer score based on 88 critic reviews. The consensus reads: "Devilishly examining the intersection of fame and obsession to thrilling effect, Alex Russell's directorial debut delivers on all fronts."

  • Metacritic: The film has a Metascore of 79 out of 100, based on 21 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.

  • The Guardian: Benjamin Lee describes the film as a "deviously entertaining Hollywood hanger-on thriller" and a "captivatingly nasty descent as Matthew's mask starts to slip."

  • Roger Ebert: Clint Worthington calls the film a "riveting thriller" that "feels like Nightcrawler for starfuckers in the best possible way."

  • Screen Rant: Praises the film for being one of the "freshest takes" on the stalker concept in a long time, thanks to the performances and energetic direction.

User reviews: A Mix of Enthusiasm and Critique User reviews from sites like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes show a mix of enthusiasm and criticism for the film. While many praise its unique and tense atmosphere, others were disappointed with the pacing or specific plot points.

  • IMDb: User reviews are largely positive, with many praising the film's originality, tension, and especially Theodore Pellerin's performance. Some viewers, however, felt the third act was less effective than the first two.

  • Metacritic: The film has a Mixed or Average user score of 5.5. Some users found it "worth every minute," "clever and thrilling," and a "unique, arthouse thriller." Others, however, felt the film was "so boring," with a "disjointed story line and character development."

What Movie Trend film is following: The Deconstruction of Fandom The film follows the trend of "the deconstruction of fandom," a recent genre that examines the darker, more unsettling aspects of fan obsession and celebrity worship. Unlike traditional fan-and-star stories, this trend delves into the psychological underpinnings of why individuals seek to control or infiltrate the lives of those they admire, turning what appears to be admiration into a dangerous form of psychological warfare.

What Big Social Trend is following: The Dangers of Online Stalking and Parasocial Relationships The film taps into the major social trend surrounding "parasocial relationships" and online stalking. It reflects a growing societal anxiety about the way fans can use social media and a sense of proximity to famous individuals to blur personal and professional boundaries. The film explores what happens when a fan's "lurking" on the internet translates into dangerous real-world behavior, a fear that has become increasingly relevant in the digital age.

Final Verdict: A Tense and Thought-Provoking Thriller Lurker is a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers and character-driven dramas. Director Alex Russell's debut is a confident and unnerving look at fame and obsession, powered by a magnetic performance from its lead, Théodore Pellerin. While some may find its pacing slow or its ending slightly off-kilter, the film’s tense atmosphere and unsettling themes make it a memorable and thought-provoking experience. It's a prime example of a film that has something to say, and it says it in a uniquely stylish and absorbing way.


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