“Lurker” follows a retail employee who infiltrates the inner circle of an artist on the verge of stardom.
“Lurker” says a lot while showing very little. The film brushes past major events, yet still manages to feel like a complete picture. Its deliberate minimalism makes each choice feel purposeful, drawing the audience in through atmosphere and implication rather than exposition.
Performances Drive the Tension
The movie works best because of the performances from Théodore Pellerin (Matthew) and Archie Madekwe (Oliver). Pellerin completely transforms, becoming a truly unsettling presence from start to finish. His performance is stripped-down but never hollow, with every glance and pause capturing the obsession and desperation that consume his character. In contrast, Madekwe leans into charisma and confidence, embodying the allure of celebrity with an effortless screen presence.
Because they are such opposing personalities, their chemistry perfectly suits the film’s needs. Sometimes their dynamic feels natural, while at others it’s painfully awkward and uncomfortable – a tension that works in the story’s favor.
Style and Atmosphere
“Lurker” puts its cards on the table almost immediately. There’s little mystery about characters’ motives, as the opening minutes establish the unsettling framework. Surprisingly, this enhances the pacing, making all 100 minutes feel like a slow build where the bottom could fall out at any moment.
Writer-director Alex Russell brings a strong visual style to “Lurker.” Shot on 16mm film, the movie immediately stands out, and segments captured on an old camcorder give it a nostalgic edge. Russell frequently alternates between these perspectives. Constant close-ups and metaphorical imagery heighten the discomfort, ensuring the film never feels stable or predictable.
Obsession and Identity
The final act of “Lurker” will divide audiences. It skips through time and avoids lingering on crucial events, before concluding with a blunt, on-the-nose message. While messy, this approach sparks conversation.
At its core, “Lurker” examines obsession – the extreme lengths someone will go to achieve what they desire. In a world where identities are often built around celebrities, it’s a timely critique of how admiration can slip into fixation. It’s also a meditation on toxic relationships. What begins as a psychological cat-and-mouse morphs into something darker, raising questions about self-identity and consumption. Even if its conclusion feels uneven, the ideas resonate long after the credits roll.
“Lurker” is beautifully shot, with magnetic performances from Pellerin and Madekwe. It sustains a suffocatingly unsettling mood, rarely allowing the audience to breathe. This isn’t a comfortable watch, but it’s an undeniably effective one.
Rating: 4 out of 5
