★ 7 / 10
When acclaimed musician “Oliver” (Archie Madekwe) comes into
CinemaSerf
When acclaimed musician “Oliver” (Archie Madekwe) comes into his boutique, shop worker “Matthew” (Théodore Pellerin) finds a more subtle way to attract his…
When acclaimed musician “Oliver” (Archie Madekwe) comes into his boutique, shop worker “Matthew” (Théodore Pellerin) finds a more subtle way to attract his attention, and is swiftly invited to attend that night’s gig. After a bit of light-hearted initiation, he finds himself backstage then back at the band’s house where he develops a fairly rapid friendship with an “Oliver” who knows how to make him feel invaluable. He's an amateur photographer and is soon co-opted to work on a documentary, then a trip to London beckons and “Matty” is to do the photo shoot for the cover. By this point, though, we can see that his clothes designer friend "Jamie" (Sunny Suljic) is behining to steal some the limelight and that his patron is a bit flakey when it comes to loyalty, uktmately leaving this erstwhile flavour of the month cast adrift. Determined not to remain so, though, "Matthew" puts in plan a plan that he hopes will ensure that he can remain a permanent fixture in the life of "Ollie" - whether he wants it or not. Now some of the story isn’t the most plausible, especially towards the end - but before then both men offer us quite an effective look at the toxicity and fragility of both fame and adulation. The ultimate human equivalence of the disposable culture is on display for us to squirm at, certainly, but maybe to associate with a little too. Like a favourite song, or film, or toy that we can’t be without until - well, we can. It takes a pop at groupiedom, from both the star and the punter’s perspective and though flawed, is still worth ninety minutes.
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★ 6 / 10
TheMovieSearch
Lurker is a sharp, unsettling thriller that caught me off guard in the best way. It's creative, tense, and surprisingly fun for a film that dives deep into…
Lurker is a sharp, unsettling thriller that caught me off guard in the best way. It's creative, tense, and surprisingly fun for a film that dives deep into obsession and manipulation.The story follows Matthew, a fan of rising musical artist Oliver, who hides his true identity in order to infiltrate Oliver's inner circle. What begins as admiration quickly twists into obsession, and soon Matthew's actions - from the things he sets up to the secrets he uncovers - threaten to destroy Oliver's career and personal life. The real hook, though, is that Matthew isn't just unhinged - he's intelligent, even brilliant at times, and that makes him all the more dangerous.The marketing materials, with their imagery and tone, might make some think this is an LGBT-centered film. In truth, while there are homoerotic undertones and subtle hints of attraction woven into the story, that's not the film's core. At its heart, Lurker is about power, obsession, and how blurred the line between admiration and destruction can become.The director deserves real credit for crafting an atmosphere that feels both intimate and suffocating, though I did find the use of video-camera-style footage a little distracting at times. It doesn't take away from the story, but it's definitely something you'll notice when watching.Performance-wise, Theodore Pellerin is the standout. As Matthew, he's magnetic - manipulative, vulnerable, and chillingly unpredictable. I wasn't overly familiar with his work before, but his performance here cements him as someone to watch. Opposite him, Archie Madekwe shines as Oliver, the unsuspecting artist caught in Matthew's web. Together, their dynamic carries the entire film, with the rest of the cast serving more as background noise than essential players.Overall, Lurker is a strong, engaging thriller with great performances and a storyline that keeps you hooked until the very end. I'd definitely recommend it - and yes, I'd rewatch it.
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★ 6 / 10
Interesting idea
weinbergtodd
Lurker is superb visually and musically. It's almost worth a watch for that part of the experience alone. I thought this was a fresh take on an interesting…
Lurker is superb visually and musically. It's almost worth a watch for that part of the experience alone. I thought this was a fresh take on an interesting idea. That said; after a strong first half, the writing gets pretty lazy in the second half - particularly around a critical plot device mid-film - and the characters flatten out. The story labours in its final chapters. It didn't ruin the movie for me, but I thought a sharper finish would have really elevated this film to what it deserved to be.
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FYI the 1080p WEB x265 version is corrupted, do not download.