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.

For in-depth thoughts on Lurker, please see my colleague Liselotte Vanophems’s review from its original theatrical release here.

Video Quality

Lurker arrives on Blu-Ray with a 1080p presentation in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio that looks exceptional in high definition. The clarity throughout is first-rate with subtle textures in the natural environment and clothing coming through perfectly. Black levels have a stellar amount of depth and do not succumb to digital noise even in the darker scenes. The cinematography is a standout element of the film, and this disc handles things perfectly. Color saturation is fantastic with the palette permeating the screen as desired. Skin tones are natural overall with skin exhibiting particular details such as perspiration in certain scenarios. Mubi has delivered a worthy presentation, even if we would have loved a 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Audio Quality

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is a favorable representation of this material. Dialogue comes through clearly as it intermingles well with the soundtrack and the sound effects. The low end comes to play when it needs to for some welcome texture. This track handles everything without stumbling. The soundscape is varied and comes alive when the narrative calls for it. This story features noises emanating from various directions. The movie whips up the environmental sounds effectively, and the track retains exceptional delineation even when there are thrilling confrontations. Optional English, English SDH, Spanish, and French subtitles are provided. English (Full and SDH) and French (Forced, Full and SDH) subtitles are provided.

Special Features

There are no special features provided on this disc.

Final Thoughts

Lurker is a compelling look at the layered, corrupting nature of fame. From the perspective of the party with power, you have the uncertainty of a person’s genuine intention to be around you. On the other hand, some people with fame act carelessly with those around them, as they view themselves on a different level. This dynamic is synthesized into a narrative that will have you hiding your face behind your hands in discomfort, yet unable to look away for long due to the captivating nature of the journey. The two leads are exceptional, but the entire ensemble seems perfectly tuned to this world. It is a twisted time that works really well. Mubi has offered up a Blu-Ray that provides a strong A/V presentation but no supplements. Recommended

Lurker is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Mubi has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.