A razor-sharp psychological thriller for the social media age, Lurker marks the striking directorial debut of Alex Russell, known for his work as writer-producer on The Bear and Beef.

The film follows Matthew (Théodore Pellerin), a twenty-something retail clerk who sees an opportunity to infiltrate the glittering world of a rising pop star, Oliver (Archie Madekwe). What begins as a calculated move to get closer to fame quickly spirals into a deadly obsession, as the line between fan and friend becomes dangerously blurred.

With its chilling exploration of parasocial relationships and the dark side of modern fame, Lurker offers a gripping, slow-burn cat-and-mouse thriller. The tension intensifies as Matthew’s desperate need for validation pushes him to manipulate his way deeper into Oliver’s circle, until access and proximity to stardom become matters of life and death. The audience is pulled into Matthew’s twisted perspective; made complicit in his power plays and the morally elusive choices he makes to maintain his position when his place in Oliver’s world is threatened.

Alex Russell’s feature debut offers a critical look at contemporary fame, social media, and the fragile boundaries between devotion and obsession. With a propulsive score by Kenny Beats (known for his work with Vince Staples), Lurker pulses with a modern edge, while Pellerin and Madekwe deliver career-defining performances that highlight the shifting power dynamics between their characters.