‘Lurker’ Review – A Meticulously Crafted, Chilling Portrayal Of Obsession And Control [LFF 2025]

When the line between admiration and obsession starts to blur, that’s when love turns into something much more sinister. That’s precisely what writer/director Alex Russell unpacks in his latest movie. What starts as an innocent fan encounter (and fascination) soon grows into a dangerous fixation and a fiery game. Emerging from that pulse-pounding story is a meticulously crafted, chilling portrayal of obsession and control.

The fan, Matthew (Théodore Pellerin), at the heart of Lurker hasn’t always been a manipulative, relentless stalker. His newfound obsession with the up-and-coming pop star Oliver (Archie Madekwe) just made him one. When both men strike up a conversation in the clothing store Matthew works at, their worlds are turned upside down. Their first encounter leads to an invitation to Oliver’s gig, followed by another meet-up. Before you know it, Matthew is part of Oliver’s gang, serving as a runner, videographer, and confidant. To the musician, his new friend is the audience benchmark as he wants to ensure that his music resonates with as many “real people” as possible, all while becoming a better artist and conquering the charts. However, while Matthew (naturally) understands how to catch the eye and ear of a global audience, for him, the friendship is just a tool to exploit Oliver’s fame and generous heart.

Once Matthew has felt what it’s like to be in the room where it all happens and doesn’t want to leave, we not only witness every precisely calculated move in his game of manipulation and obsession, but also a stunning two-hander by Pellerin (Beau is Afraid) and Madekwe (Gran Turismo). Led by Pat Scola’s (Sing Sing) immersive camerawork, including the necessary grain and distortion to capture Matthew’s hollowness and malevolence, both actors guide you through this razor-sharp psychological thriller, offering plenty of captivation, danger, and intensity.

Madekwe, who now takes on the lead role after making a furore in Saltburn, is the charismatic musician with a commanding presence, while Pellerin plays a quieter yet more impactful role. The latter keeps himself in the background at first, especially when his character’s just the “dishwashing bitch” or the bin boy. However, once Matthew slowly and steadily outsmarts the majority of Oliver’s inner circle, that’s when Pellerin mesmerisingly shows that even beneath a calm and shy exterior lies evil when provoked. What once was a person with no social life of their own, living off the Instagram dopamine hits, has now become a fully-fledged parasite you might not be able to get rid of.

Scola’s close-ups ensure that you hear and feel every thought racing through Matthew’s mind, and Pellerin’s piercing eyes evoke a true, unnerving, and foreboding feeling. You or Oliver might not be able to predict Matthew’s next move, but rest assured that it certainly will be another step closer to checkmate. By the time the musician realises how conniving and dangerous his newfound friend truly is, the simple fan-musician or muse-artist relationship may have taken a nightmarish turn.

The two actors are on top of their game, and when they’re on-screen together, which is most of the time, this dark, devilish delight becomes even more intense. Matthew and Oliver come from totally different worlds, and that’s one of the reasons why their dysfunctional pull/push relationship works so well. There’s an undeniable chemistry between the confidence oozing, go-lucky musician and the timid, calculating, almost invisible yet determined fan. Russell even toys with homoeroticism during certain scenes. However, what is the true nature of their relationship? Do the men secretly love each other, do they need each other, or is the other there to get their own sense of validation finally?

This movie marks Russell’s big-screen debut as a writer and filmmaker, and just as we witnessed in The Bear, he knows how to deliver an exhilarating script. This time is no different, as his narrative will keep you off balance and guessing at all times. Lurker never becomes the violent thriller it could have been. Still, the primary focus on the psychological and social aspects is the main strength of this feature, alongside the two outstanding leads. The slow reveals, the ambiguous moments, and the stalking opportunities (unknowingly) created by Oliver, step by step, reveal Matthew’s true nature and spin a web of intrigue, deceit, and lies.

Lurker could have easily been about another celebrity trying to gain worldwide fame in this digital age or about a lonely young man seeking connection. However, much more than that, it’s a masterclass in social psychology and a slow-burning depiction of obsession, deception, fame, and fandom all in one.

Lurker is part of the Thrill section at the BFI London Film Festival 2025, courtesy of Focus Features. The movie will be available on MUBI (US only) from October 10, 2025. 

Director: Alex Russell

Writer: Alex Russell

Rated: R

Runtime: 100m