
Jamie Broadnax is the creator of the online publication and…
We all want to be a part of a family.
But sometimes, some of us want it a little more than others.
After killing it with The Bear and Beef Alex Russell makes his feature debut with his film Lurker. Lurker slithers into your brain like an uninvited DM request and refuses to leave. Well, at least we can say that’s the description for one of our protagonists, and unassuming retail employee named Matthew (Théodore Pellerin). Matthew with unsettling intensity and piercing curiosity meets Oliver (Archie Madekwe) at the retail store he works for. Oliver, a rising music star, is intrigued that Matthew claims he’s never heard of him nor knows nothing of his music. In fact, this fascinates him so much that he invites Matthew to join his entourage. As the film unfolds, it becomes clear that Matthew isn’t just a fan — he’s a career opportunist, and his grip on Oliver’s inner circle is as desperate as a washed-up influencer begging for a brand deal.
Russell’s script is razor-sharp, tackling modern fame and social media-fueled delusions with biting commentary. Matthew slowly becomes obsessed with Oliver, making a play for his attention. Meanwhile Oliver is also intrigued and attracted by this attention. The see-saw relationship dynamic between the protagonists is fascinating to watch. And as the tension builds slowly, you become deeply invested in these two characters as each makes a power play for the attention of the other.
One of the film’s strongest elements is how it forces the audience into Matthew’s perspective, making us complicit in his increasingly unhinged behavior. It’s the kind of psychological trickery that makes you question why you’re rooting for someone who, in any other scenario, would absolutely be the villain. Matthew isn’t your standard 2-dimensional antagonist. He’s calculating, sure, but he’s also kind of pathetic. And even comes off as a bit of unhinged at times. And that’s what makes him terrifying. He’s the kind of person who weaponizes vulnerability and playing the long game to wedge himself into Oliver’s world. And once he’s in, he’s not leaving without a fight.
Pellerin’s performance is magnetic. He brings a quiet intensity to Matthew, a mixture of charm and menace that makes you understand why Oliver even brings him into his circle of trust in the first place. It’s actually quite intriguing that Oliver was so quick to reel Matthew into his world as a celebrity meeting some random stranger from inside of a retail store, but that was the effect Matthew had on him. There’s something off about him from the start, but it’s subtle. He’s not some wide-eyed fanatic frothing at the mouth. Matthew is patient. He’s strategic. He doesn’t just want to be near Oliver, instead he wants to be indispensable to him. And when that position is threatened? Well, let’s just say things don’t go well for anyone who stands in his way.
Madekwe, on the other hand, plays Oliver with a mix of naivety and arrogance that feels painfully realistic. He’s talented, yes, but he’s also young and caught up in the whirlwind of rising fame. He doesn’t see the warning signs because, let’s be honest, most celebrities don’t. They live in bubbles where everyone around them has an agenda, and distinguishing genuine Oliver is completely surrounded by sycophants and perhaps that is exactly what he wants out of when he meets Matthew. Someone who isn’t just another minion.
Russell has clear and distinct direction in this film with great detail, without exposing too much I will share there is a great scene between Matthew and Oliver when they have their climatic confrontation in a recording booth. And using soundproof glass as a barrier between the two as a metaphor for the imposing barrier in their relationship was a great use of direction in that moment. Key scenes when Matthew is always lurking as his co-worker and colleague Jamie catches Oliver’s eye and Matthew grows jealous. He is always watching, always lurking.
And while the film also has a lot to say about fame and the way social media blurs the line between celebrity and fan (see Opus), this film offers something even more substantive in its messaging. At its core it analyzes relationships, solitude, co-dependency and confusing our own identity with how others see us. There is a great deal of nuance and sharp insight that Lurker offers which makes this a film that will leave viewers conversing quite a bit long after viewing it.Â
Lurker is a chilling, slow-burn thriller that unearths the dark side of fandom, where admiration turns into obsession and loyalty becomes a dangerous game of manipulation.
Lurker is currently screening at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival
Jamie Broadnax is the creator of the online publication and multimedia space for Black women called Black Girl Nerds. Jamie has appeared on MSNBC's The Melissa Harris-Perry Show and The Grio's Top 100. Her Twitter personality has been recognized by Shonda Rhimes as one of her favorites to follow. She is a member of the Critics Choice Association and executive producer of the Black Girl Nerds Podcast.