Lurker is one of those rare films that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll. Much like The Surfer starring Nicolas Cage, which also dropped earlier this year, it’s a film that demands repeat viewings, not just for its intricate character dynamics, but for the layered storytelling that gradually reveals its true nature. At first glance, Lurker might appear to be a familiar story about fame, desire, and fitting in. But as it carefully unravels, it transforms into a deeply chilling cautionary tale about identity, manipulation, and the costs of ambition.
If you’re looking for a spoiler-free exploration of Lurker, head over to EoM Contributor AJ Friar’s Fantasia International Film Festival 2025 initial spoiler-free review.
Directed by Alex Russell (Billy Star), Lurker is a sharp and unsettling look at what happens when an outsider gains access to the inner circle of a famous artist. It captures the intoxicating allure of proximity to fame while slowly exposing the toxicity that often lies beneath the surface. The film centers on Matthew (Theodore Pellerin), a socially awkward and clearly troubled young man who becomes increasingly obsessed with joining the entourage of up-and-coming music artist Oliver (Archie Madekwe). At first, Matthew is simply a fan who hangs around the fringes. But as the story develops, it becomes clear that his motivations run deeper — and darker.
Russell’s direction is a tight, no-frills masterclass in controlled tension. Clocking in at just over 100 minutes, there isn’t a wasted moment. The film expertly uses silence, atmosphere, and subtle shifts in tone to keep the viewer on edge. The early scenes are deceptively casual, showing us a group of friends enjoying their creative highs, partying, working on music, and bonding. But that’s the trick: it feels safe, until it doesn’t. As the story progresses, the tone subtly shifts, the warmth drains from the room, and we begin to realize that something sinister is brewing beneath Matthew’s quiet demeanor.
Théodore Pellerin as Matthew in LURKER. Photo courtesy of MUBI. © MUBI.
One of the film’s most jarring moments comes when Matthew is brutally beaten, a sequence that feels like the emotional and physical breaking point for the character. The scene is raw and unflinching, stripping away any lingering sympathy and replacing it with a sense of unease and inevitability. It’s not just the violence itself that lands, but how it’s presented — grounded, chaotic, and painfully real. The sound design during this moment is especially striking, with every hit and scuffle landing with a visceral weight that pulls you deeper into the scene.
That same level of care extends to the overall audio quality of the physical release, which is nothing short of excellent. Dialogue is crisp, the music sequences have a rich, immersive presence, and the quieter moments are given room to breathe, making it a standout from a technical standpoint. However, that praise is undercut by the complete lack of special features. For a film this layered and worthy of discussion, the absence of any behind-the-scenes content, commentary, or supplemental material makes the release feel disappointingly barebones, almost like a throwaway presentation of what is otherwise a great film.
Pellerin (Beau Is Afraid) delivers what may be his best performance to date. He embodies Matthew with a sense of vulnerability that gradually gives way to something much more disturbing. His transformation is the heart of the film and is portrayed with eerie believability. What makes his character so compelling is how relatable he is at first. We’ve all felt like outsiders looking in, wanting to be part of something bigger. But Lurker asks a more uncomfortable question: What happens when that desire becomes an obsession?
On the other side of the dynamic is Madekwe (Midsommar) as Oliver, the charismatic and talented musician trying to evolve his sound and maintain artistic integrity in a rapidly changing industry. Madekwe brings nuance and emotional depth to the role, making Oliver both sympathetic and frustrating. He’s a young man under pressure, vulnerable in his own way, and his interactions with Matthew become the emotional anchor of the film.
The chemistry between Pellerin and Madekwe is electric, and much of the film’s tension is built on their characters’ increasingly volatile relationship. The supporting cast also brings authenticity to the world, but this is ultimately a two-man show with both actors at the top of their game. Much like The Substance, MUBI’s breakout film from last year, Lurker is a sharp reminder that this distribution platform is becoming a major player in the art-house and indie film scene. With Lurker, MUBI may have found another critical hit on their hands.
Archie Madekwe as Oliver in LURKER. Photo courtesy of MUBI. © MUBI.
Lurker isn’t just a psychological thriller, it’s a commentary on our parasocial age where the line between admiration and obsession grows thinner every day. It’s a film about boundaries, power, and the people we let into our lives — and it doesn’t offer easy answers.
No bonus features included with this release.
Available on Blu-ray and DVD March 3rd, 2026.
For more information, head to the official MUBI Lurker webpage.
To purchase, head to the official MUBI Shop Lurker webpage.
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Categories: Films To Watch, Home Release, Recommendation
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