LURKER

US, 2025, 100 minutes, Colour.

Theodore Pellerin, Archie Madekwe, Sunny  Suljic, Cam Hicks, Zach Fox, Daniel Zolghadri, Havana Rose Liu.

Directed by Alex Russell.

Definitely a film for younger audiences. Older audiences have lived through these experiences, perhaps a long since. (And, if they do watch Lurker, they will recognise the themes from All About Eve, the star, the up-and-coming ambitious star… And, those with classical memories may also recall the Svengali story, the mastermind controlling… Stories and movies which may not be part of the younger generation’s memories.)

Lurker is a story about celebrity in the 21^st-century, young celebrities, often self-made, promoted by influencers, stars of social media who create a following who will then listen to the music, stream their songs, go enthusiastically to their concerts.

And, there is a celebrity here, Oliver, played by Archie Madekwe (Gran Turismo, Saltburn, Midsommer), in his 20s, from London, moving to Los Angeles, on the up and upper, not completely self-confident but trying to project confidence, surrounded by an odd entourage, composing his music, turning out albums, the world before him.

But, he is obviously not the lurker. The lurker is the central character, Matthew, played by Theodore Pellerin). He seems to be the quiet type, living at home, working in a kind of upmarket clothing store, asking himself about how happy he is and where he might be in six years’ time. He declares his present contentment – enhanced by encountering Oliver in the store, commenting on his music and making a good impression. Oliver invites him to come to a concert.

Matthew walks eagerly into a strange world, mocked immediately by the entourage, favoured by Oliver, becoming more and more confident, more sure of his influence, able to use his talent with the camera, with artwork and design for covers, intervening with the cinematographer with flattering comments for Oliver.

The older audience will recognise where this is leading. The All about Eve syndrome is Matthew’s taking over the work of the cinematographer, relegating him to the periphery. But, this can also happen to Matthew himself when the young assistant at the clothing store eagerly goes to a party and starts a cycle of intervening with advice, bringing out quite some malice in Matthew. And, it goes on from there, in favour, out-of-favour, Oliver’s moodiness, and the final challenge to the lurker-influencer, to devise a way of complete control of the celebrity.

An immersion in the 21^st-century musical, social media, celebrity, influencer universe.

1. The title and tone? Lurking, observing, stalking?
2. A contemporary story for younger audiences, celebrities, careers, music, concert tours, fans, social media?
3. The role of social media, influencers and their podcasts? The effect on fans? The promotion of celebrities? And the repercussions on the popular psyche, and the effect on the individuals concerned?
4. Memories of older showbiz stories, the All About Eve theme, the Svengali controller…?
5. Introduction to Matthew, camera, question, his view of himself in six years? His self-satisfaction, dissatisfaction? Living at home, his quiet life? At the store, the members of the staff? His prospects? Yet his talent with camera, with recording and editing?
6. Oliver in the shop, the reaction to his celebrity, Matthew and the music, Oliver’s response, the bond between them? Oliver and the invitation for Matthew?
7. Matthew’s story throughout the film, his age, identity, ambitions, insecurities, going to the concert, the encounter with the entourage, their playing with him, pants down, pants up, joking? Oliver, his personality, his background in England, become a celebrity, the US, his treatment of Matthew, talking about best friends, yet the erratic responses?
8. The background of the entourage, their personalities, the reasons for being with Oliver, their influence? Joking? Treatment of Matthew? Jamie and his presence, the filming, his talent? Matthew, his intervening, upstaging Jamie? Taking his place? The effect on Jamie?
9. Oliver, his albums, their production, composing, the music, designs and covers, the concerts at the fans? His self-involvement, relationships and lack relationships? Treatment of people? Memories of his past, his creativity, music, rhythms?
10. Matthew and his increasing obsession, being feted, the relationship with Oliver, going to London, the co-worker at the store, his talents, going to the party, advice, becoming part of the circle? And, in the background, the agent, her observing, advice, watching? Especially about the visa issue of getting into the UK? His not advising his co-worker, his being taken by the authorities? The agent observing this? And Matthew having to get out of the UK, going home? The effect on him, hurt, determination?
11. Matthew, becoming obsessed, more determined, his manoeuvres, the confrontations with Oliver, with the group, his becoming more assertive, threatening, blackmail, advice to Oliver, becoming more and more controlling? The reaction of the group?
12. Matthew, his final moves, assertive, dictating to Oliver, Oliver submitting to him? The episode with the young girls, Matthew encouraging, under age, to the media, the agent and her response?
13. Matthew, becoming a Svengali character, his hold over Oliver? And audiences wondering about their future?