“What’s the difference between love and obsession?”
These lyrics, the chorus to the final track of the film “Love and Obsession”, encapsulate the core emotional conflict of Alex Russell’s 2025 Sundance hit “Lurker”. If the name looks familiar, you’ve probably seen it in the credits as a producer or writer in some of your favorite shows of the past five years including “The Bear”, “Beef”, and “Dave”. Now, he’s in full control of his first feature film as the writer and director. “Lurker” follows Matthew (Théodore Pellerin)—an everyday LA retail worker—when his life changes forever after the up-and-coming pop star Oliver (Archie Madekwe) enters his store and invites him to his show.
We’ve all had at least one artist that has impacted us so deeply, whether it be in film or music, that we can’t help but crave to learn more about. Who inspires them? Where’d they go to school? What’s their favorite color? We can become so invested in their story that they can feel like a distant friend. There, a parasocial relationship can form. “Lurker” asks the question, “What if a parasocial relationship becomes parasitic?”
Russell has crafted a deeply tense and uncomfortable contemporary thriller, showcasing the impact social media has had on the relationships between celebrities and fans. “Lurker” plays as one big intrusive thought, for anyone who has ever thought, “I think me and (insert celebrity here) would be good friends.”
The film also investigates group dynamics and hierarchy when money and fame are involved. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Pellerin said it reminded him of elementary school, where “… one day, you’re not going to be the friend, you’re gonna be the one that’s on the outside.”
It’s a loud struggle for Matthew to prove his worth, wanting nothing but to stay on the inside. To feel accepted by his biggest inspiration. As the film progresses we see that he is willing to do whatever it takes, even by means of manipulation and sabotage, to be Ollie’s—Matthew’s nickname for Oliver after one day of being his friend—right-hand man. Matthew makes it known by the climax of the film, an intense one-on-one with Oliver in a recording studio, that “Everyone around you is just like me. I just want it more… and I’m better.”
Pellerin gives one of the best performances of the year as the unnerved super-fan. He puts on some incredible face and eye acting that is on par with Jake Gyllenhaal’s Golden Globe-nominated performance in “Nightcrawler”. Archie Madekwe really sells his pop-star arrogance while also staying grounded emotionally, especially in the final act of the film. There’s a palpable sense of desperation from Oliver who is in need of a mentor, only to find himself drowning in a sea of yes-men who are ineffective in helping him grow as an artist. It’s heartbreaking seeing him realize that Matthew, the person that’s “killing” him, may be the only person that can keep him and his career alive.
The film also hinges on the supporting roles of Zack Fox (Abbot Elementary) as Sweet and Olawale Onayemi (music group Paris Texas) as Bowen, the comedic yet sometimes intimidating members of Oliver’s group. Their introductory scene showing respect for the deceased “Gay James” is one of my favorites in the entire film. On a second viewing, however, it’s Havanah Rose Liu (Bottoms) who really caught my attention as Oliver’s assistant, Shai. She meticulously plays through the eyes of the audience, seeing through all of the lies and deceit while also feeling compassion and empathy for Matthew who is very obviously troubled.
It feels like Russell has found his own little pocket in Indiewood. “Lurker” is the product of bringing together up-and-coming, non-traditional actors, an addictive soundtrack produced by Kenneth Blume (formerly Kenny Beats) in collaboration with Rex Orange County, and even a cameo by Sean Wang, director of last year’s Sundance breakout hit “Dìdi”. Russell’s finger on the pulse of Los Angeles’ indie scene allows for some incredible and unique BTS stories—like how the first Oliver concert scene was filmed at a real show where Zack Fox was DJ’ing—which feels like a breath of fresh, creative air in the current landscape of filmmaking. For me, this ensemble is my “Avengers: Endgame”. I fear I may become too invested in whatever Russell does next that I’ll become a lurker of my own.
