Lurker Fantasia Review: Shifting power dynamics

Highlighting the dangers of fame and power, Alex Russell’s dazzling feature debut, Lurker, is one of the biggest surprises of the year.

At the beginning of Lurker, we meet Matthew (Théodore Pellerin), a nerdy LA retail worker who catches the attention of Oliver (Archie Madekwe, of Saltburn), an up-and-coming singer who just so happens to enter the store. What intrigues Oliver is that Matthew plays a song he loves, which is a tune none of his friends had heard of before, instantly sparking a sense of shared taste. Thereafter, Oliver invites Matthew to his show, as he’s seeking musical insight while preparing a new album and looking for fresh feedback. It isn’t long before Matthew is asked to film footage of Oliver’s life, both on the road and at home, and becomes a regular among the friend group.

Above all else, Lurker examines how fans idolize celebrities and the negative consequences that result from said admiration. It also demonstrates the fine line between fandom and obsession. Matthew is a bit of a loner who lives with his grandmother and has a relatively uneventful life. When he’s asked to attend the show and hangs out with Oliver, he acts like a kid full of excitement on Christmas morning. Matthew is honored to be in the presence of an emerging talent and is in disbelief that he has managed to snag an invitation.

Although Oliver is the very person who invited Matthew into his circle and seems to hold all the power, it isn’t long before viewers witness a drastic shift in his new friend’s behavior. When Matthew is at the concert, he seems willing to do anything that members of Oliver’s friend group ask him to do just to fit in. However, as time passes, Matthew becomes more comfortable in this star setting, which has given him a newfound sense of purpose and control. Someone he respects deeply has taken notice of him, which makes him drunk on power, and his self-image becomes inflated.

On the contrary, Oliver knows just how much he is admired by those surrounding him, all of whom seem to be yes-men, as he’s the star of the show. With time, Matthew realizes that befriending new strangers is quite the norm for the singer. Once there’s a new favorite of the week, he feels discarded by the person responsible for giving him an exciting existence that he doesn’t want to lose sight of.

As Oliver and Matthew’s egos compete for dominance, what starts as a light-hearted musical artist-focused slice-of-life type documentary evolves into something entirely different. Around the midway point of the film, Lurker delves into themes of manipulation, deceit, toxicity, emotional abuse, and gaslighting.

The depiction of Matthew and Oliver’s clashing personalities on screen wouldn’t be as powerful without the exceptional chemistry our two leads share. Much like his character in Lurker, Madekwe is also a rising star who continues to impress me as an actor. Another thing that I want to highlight is just how fantastic he is at singing. There are a couple of songs performed in the film that truly capture the magic of a real-life concert at a smaller venue. It also appears that these songs were performed live, which makes them all the more authentic.

Madekwe has such stage presence during these performances that I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that he has some sort of musical background. As soon as I finished the movie, I instantly opened Spotify to find one of the original songs performed in the film that I absolutely loved. Unfortunately, it isn’t yet available, but the music in Lurker is definitely going to draw a fan base, with many seeking it out when it’s finally released.

But the film’s biggest standout is Pellerin, who delivers one of the best performances of the year. I was impressed by his nuanced portrayal of a character who is toxic and, at times, eerily frightening. He effortlessly toes the line between power-hungry creep and naive loner exceptionally well. Matthew’s progressive descent towards power-hungry entitlement sneaks up on you. It’s uncomfortable yet thrilling to watch. 

Lurker also effectively utilizes offbeat humor through his personality, which further reflects his delusional state of mind and controlling tendencies as time goes on. They’re the sort of moments that are incredibly awkward and conniving, yet you can’t help but laugh at just how lacking he is in self-awareness. Or perhaps he’s fully clued in, but chooses not to care. The film makes you question how mindful he is of his own behavior, which only adds to the unease.

By the end of Lurker, I was smiling from ear to ear. This was not only because I loved the story and couldn’t wait to spread the positive feedback with readers, but also because I think it will find a dedicated audience and become one of 2025’s most beloved independent films, and for good reason.

Steeped in discomfort, thrills, and an excessive desire for power and control among its characters, Lurker excels in tension, surprises, and high stakes. Russell’s film career can only go up from here.

Lurker was screened at the Fantasia Film Festival on August 1, 2025. The film will be released in theaters in the U.S. on August 22 and in Canada on August 29.