Lurker 2025 Parents Guide

Lurker is Rated R by Motion Picture Rating (MPA) for language throughout and some sexual content.

One of the great joys of covering film festivals is stumbling upon those under-the-radar discoveries the kinds of movies that would probably slip past me in a standard theatrical run. Every year, without fail, there’s always at least one film that sneaks up on you, that rekindles that original spark of why you fell in love with cinema in the first place. For me this year, that film is Lurker.

In his daring debut feature, writer-director Alex Russell upends genre conventions with a story that’s as unpredictable as it is magnetic. Lurker thrives on shifting power plays, morally gray characters, and a narrative that constantly pulls the rug out from under you.

We’re first introduced to Matthew (Théodore Pellerin), a socially awkward retail worker in Los Angeles whose world suddenly tilts when he crosses paths with Oliver (Archie Madekwe, fresh off Saltburn), a rising musician who wanders into his store. A shared taste in music a song Oliver loves but none of his circle seems to recognize forms the initial connection. Oliver, hungry for fresh creative perspectives, invites Matthew to his gig. Before long, Matthew is filming Oliver’s day-to-day life, from backstage chaos to quiet moments at home, and is absorbed into his entourage.

At its core, Lurker is a sharp exploration of celebrity worship and the slippery slope between admiration and obsession. Matthew, who lives a muted existence with his grandmother, suddenly finds himself basking in the glow of a star-in-the-making. His giddy excitement like a child tearing into presents on Christmas morning captures just how intoxicating proximity to fame can be.

But Russell doesn’t keep the dynamic simple. Even though Oliver initially holds the power, the balance soon shifts. At first, Matthew is the eager outsider, willing to humiliate himself just to earn a place in the clique. Yet as his confidence grows, so does his sense of control. The validation from Oliver makes him drunk on importance, and that warped self-image transforms him in unsettling ways.

Meanwhile, Oliver fully aware of his gravitational pull uses his charm to keep everyone orbiting around him. His world is filled with yes-men, and Matthew eventually realizes he’s far from the first “new best friend” Oliver has cycled through. The sting of being disposable fuels his desperation.

What begins as a breezy, music-soaked hangout movie takes a darker turn midway, morphing into a study of manipulation, emotional abuse, and toxic dependency. Gaslighting and ego clashes bubble to the surface, and the film’s tension sharpens considerably.

Much of the film’s electricity comes from the chemistry between Pellerin and Madekwe. Madekwe once again proves why he’s one of the most exciting young actors working today, and his live musical performances here are an unexpected delight. His stage presence is so commanding that I wouldn’t be surprised to learn he’s had serious musical training. The songs themselves are so good that I immediately opened Spotify after the credits rolled only to be disappointed they’re not available yet. Rest assured, when they do surface, fans will flock to them.

As strong as Madekwe is, the film ultimately belongs to Pellerin. His performance is a revelation layered, menacing, and oddly sympathetic all at once. He nails the slow creep from lonely outsider to unsettling manipulator, balancing naive vulnerability with flashes of sinister entitlement. At times, he’s terrifying; at others, painfully pitiful. His offbeat sense of humor only deepens the discomfort, as his delusions tiptoe between hilariously awkward and disturbingly calculated. The audience is left questioning whether Matthew is simply clueless or fully aware of the strings he’s pulling.

By the time Lurker ends, I couldn’t stop smiling not because the story is cheerful (it’s anything but), but because it felt like I had just witnessed the emergence of something truly special. This is the kind of independent film that builds cult status through word of mouth, and I have no doubt it will be remembered as one of 2025’s standout indies.

Unsettling, witty, and brimming with tension, Lurker is a fascinating meditation on power, obsession, and the dangerous allure of fame. Russell’s career is only just beginning, but if this debut is any indication, he’s a filmmaker to watch very closely.

Lurker 2025 Parents Guide

Violence: Let’s not pretend there’s graphic mayhem the film doesn’t have bodies strewn like confetti. But don’t kid yourself: Lurker is a slow-burn psychological thrill that uses menace, manipulation, and emotional pull like weapons. Think verbal intimidation, tense standoffs, and that simmering terror of someone who looks friendly but is actually plotting your social extinction. You won’t need a tetanus shot, but your sanity might be tested.

Language:  Expect the F-bomb and its cousins to roll off tongues like they own the place. It’s gritty, unfiltered, and perfect for anyone who thinks teen-friendly euphemisms are a waste of vocabulary.

Sexual Content: there are glances, suggestions, and a dash of flesh just enough to remind you that hormones are still a thing among young adults. If your kid is eight and thinks Lurker is about some literal creature, congratulations they’re living their best life. But teens? They’ll pick up on the flirtatious undertow. Still, it’s more eyebrow than wardrobe malfunction.

Substance Use / Drugs: No one’s nursing a bottle or slurring lines because the real intoxication in Lurker comes from proximity to fame and a slowly inflating ego. A psychological buzz, if you will. So, bonus points: no chemical distractions to justify a curfew.

Director: Alex Russell
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Run Time: 100′
Rated: R
Fantasia Screening: August 1, 2025 (In Competition)
U.S. & Canada Release: August 22, 2025 / August 29, 2025 (Canada) in theaters
U.K. Release Date: TBA