Lurker ** (2025, Théodore Pellerin, Archie Madekwe, Sunny Suljic) – Classic Movie Review 13,998

Alex Russell’s 2025 study in fame and obsession Lurker stars Théodore Pellerin and Archie Madekwe.

Writer/ director Alex Russell’s 2025 American film Lurker has all the seeds of a psychological thriller, and stars Théodore Pellerin, Archie Madekwe, Zack Fox, Havana Rose Liu, Wale Onayemi, Daniel Zolghadri and Sunny Suljic.

A twenty-something retail worker called Matthew Morning (Théodore Pellerin) crosses paths with rising pop star Oliver (Archie Madekwe) in his popular Los Angeles clothing store and sees a chance to slip into the singer’s inner circle. Oliver gives Matthew a backstage pass to his next concert and befriends him, inviting him to join his posse with a view to filming him. But danger lies in the murky area between friend and fan.

Lurker is a very strange film. It tempts and teases, but it doesn’t really make a lot of sense plotwise, only emotionally, lacking dynamism and direction. It could have been a thriller, a psychological thriller, an erotic thriller or even a horror thriller, and a good one of any of these, but it isn’t, and that is frustrating. It is a study in fame and obsession that fails to deliver insights or novelty. Nevertheless, slickly done, nicely acted but unpleasant, this unsettling film gives off a nasty sick feeling, which is exactly what Alex Russell wants.

It’s a game of cat and mouse, though which is which is left ambiguous. There is a slight suggestion that it is a kind of twisted love affair though it remains a suggestion, kind of subtly or further frustratingly, depending on your reaction. It’s perhaps too arty for its own good. It avoids the nitty gritty, which is exactly what it is making us looking for. Alex Russell manages suspense and tension, but not enough to keep the film vibrating.

Théodore Pellerin and Archie Madekwe are entirely credible, commendably so, under difficult circumstances, fitting their characters exactly. They look and feel just right. Théodore Pellerin certainly catches the right notes of obsession. The singer and the songs are mediocre, presumably with the idea that the public thrill to mediocrity and adore celebrity. The pop star could just as easily be them. But, average though he is, nevertheless he has looks and talent, so far untapped. The lurker character could make him great, complete him, if he will let him. Yeah, you see, there is a good film in there somewhere.

It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025 and was released in US cinemas on August 22, 2025, gaining a lot of respect and kudos, so it is not to be overlooked.

The idea is hardly new: it is in the tradition of Play Misty for Me, The Eyes of Laura Mars, and The Fan, also All About Eve and Misery.

Genre: Crime, Drama, Music.

Actor: Théodore Pellerin, Archie Madekwe, Sunny Suljic

Director: Alex Russell

Country: US, Italy.

Duration: 100 minutes.

© Derek Winnert 2026 – Classic Movie Review 13,998

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