Alex Russell, known for his anxiety-driven dark comedy Bear and Beef, ventures into horror with his directorial debut Lurker. MUBI has just released the trailer for the film, which delves into what happens when personal idolization crosses into the territory of an overly influential cult.
Written and directed by Russell, Lurker stars Theodore Perrlan, Archie Madekwe, Sunny Suljic, Havana Rose Liu, Zack Fox, and Daniel Zolghadri. The story follows Matthew, a socially withdrawn retail worker in his twenties living in Los Angeles, who encounters rising pop star Oliver and seizes the opportunity to enter his inner circle. However, maintaining his position proves challenging. Surrounded by a group of followers vying for Oliver’s attention, Matthew must prove he is more than just a hanger-on. As their relationship grows increasingly strained, the promise of mainstream fame looms large, making proximity to Oliver a matter of survival.
This star-driven psychological thriller blends elements of social satire and paranoia, intertwining online obsession with harsh reality. Featuring an insightful commentary on contemporary culture and enhanced by Kenny Beats’ dynamic score, Lurker offers a compelling look at the blurred boundaries between the music industry, friendships, fandom, and the universal search for identity.
The new trailer provides unsettling close-ups that offer a glimpse into Matthew’s gradual descent into madness — from feeling accepted as one of Oliver’s “inner circle” to facing the consequences of crossing lines. Yet the question remains: will any of them be able to pull back?
Lurker is produced by Alex Orlovsky, Duncan Montgomery, Garen Kaur, Charlie McDowell, Jack Selby, Mark Marri, Francisco Melzi de Erlier, Olmo Schnabel, and Madekwe. The film marks Madekwe’s first project since starring in Emerald Fennell’s thriller Saltburn, and Perrlan’s first since collaborating with director Ari Aster on Disappointment Blvd.
Lurker is scheduled for release on August 22.
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