On social media, a lurker is someone who mostly just reads other people’s posts but, for whatever reason, rarely participates. In the recent film Lurker, written and directed by Alex Russell, this idea is combined with that of the fan or follower, someone devoted to or obsessed with a celebrity. The result is a different kind of suspense, exploring the psychology of someone on the margins desperate to stand in the light of someone else’s fame.
Matthew Morning is a shy gawky young man working at a trendy LA clothing store and dabbling in photography on the side. One night a young pop singer with the stage name of Oliver comes in to shop with some of his entourage. Matthew just happens to play a 1978 song by Nile Rodgers on the store speakers and Oliver notices, complimenting him on his taste, saying this is one of his favorite songs. He invites him to his next show and gives him a backstage pass. After enduring a bit of teasing from his friends in the star’s dressing room, Matthew is befriended by Oliver, takes some candid videos of him that turn out well, and suddenly finds himself invited to direct a documentary about this rising music star.
Matthew is played by the excellent young Canadian actor Théodore Pellerin. He has an intense, nervous manner, eyes that seem to look away to hide his feelings, and a kind of needy puppy dog quality. It soon becomes clear that he already knew about Oliver, had learned of his love of that particular song, and took advantage of the opportunity when Oliver was in the store to get his attention without seeming to try. He’s good at telling his idol what he wants to hear: how meaningful his music is, and how he is destined to become a much bigger star.
Oliver is played by another young talent, English actor Archie Madekwe. He has the cute sort of charisma you might find in a singer who’s popular with an audience of young women, very confident and easy-going, but as it turns out, mistrustful about whether the people around him really like him or just his success. Matthew is overjoyed to have this man say he’s a friend, and although it’s true that Oliver likes him, the pop star has a generally casual attitude towards friendships and commitments.
Alex Russell was a producer and writer for the popular TV series The Bear. His talent for genuine sounding dialogue is evident here, and he’s got a sharp sense of what pop culture means nowadays. The theme of the obsessive fan is familiar—in this case Matthew is more than that; he’s someone who wants to play an active role in Oliver’s career and works constantly to be in his good graces. He’s also, as we discover, mentally unbalanced.
Trouble arises when he notices other people around Oliver also getting attention, which threatens his position, and so this calculating climber instinctively tries to tear them down. The scary part of the film starts when Oliver tires of his new friend’s attachment, and suddenly shuts Matthew out. With his heart set on holding on to his access, there’s no limit to what Matthew will do to get back in.
It’s a thriller element, but Russell doesn’t lean too hard on that. Instead he explores the interesting connection between love and obsession. When we turn to the plight of Oliver himself, we realize how fragile and unsteady this desire to be seen and heard can be. Lurker takes us through several moving revelations of character before winding up with a brilliant and unexpected ending.
