‘Lurker’ Review: Théodore Pellerin and Archie Madekwe Pop the Fame Bubble in Alex Russell’s Scintillating Power Play

by

Matthew, cunningly disguised as an ordinary fan in Lurker, bristles at being called a fan, knowing full well the insult it carries when addressed to the up-and-coming pop star Oliver. As he insinuates himself into Oliver’s inner circle, portrayed by Théodore Pellerin with an unsettling innocence that captivates, Matthew feigns friendship, camaraderie, and creative partnership with the enigmatic singer. Yet, beneath this facade, everyone can sense his insatiable hunger to be close to Oliver, a yearning no one else in his entourage shares quite as passionately as he does.

Alex Russell, the writer on shows like The Bear, Beef, and Dave, confidently stepping into feature directing for the first time, seems well-versed in the Los Angeles music industry, with its ambitious hopefuls and celebrated celebrities, those clinging on, manipulative climbers, and indeed, its devoted fans who see an all-access backstage pass as a priceless treasure. Even those granted proximity to stars find themselves subtly vying for advantageous positions.

Archie Madekwe portrays Oliver, a character exuding a serene yet self-absorbed charm, slowly revealing hidden insecurities. Originally from England and on the verge of wider recognition in L.A., Oliver might have discarded his last name not just for show but as a symbolic break from the past and the mother he avoids discussing. Early in the series, he tells Matthew, “I have a new family now,” hinting at a man manipulatively offering a reward. “I get to decide who’s part of it.

Matthew resides with his grandmother, Myra Turley, travels by bike, and holds down a job as a sales assistant at an LA boutique selling hipster clothing, often frequented by famous individuals. Upon the arrival of returning customer Oliver, Matt subtly alters the music to a smooth Nile Rodgers beat, which seems like one of Oliver’s preferred tunes. They engage in conversation, and while maintaining a nonchalant demeanor, Matthew skillfully aligns his thoughts with those of the singer. His coworker Jamie (Sunny Suljic) interjects enthusiastically that he’s a big fan, but it’s Matt who gets an invitation to visit Oliver’s stage during tonight’s performance.

Upon arriving, Matthew finds a different atmosphere than anticipated with Oliver and his group. Particularly Swett, played by Zack Fox, and Bowen, portrayed by Olawale Onayemi, take pleasure in making Matthew feel uncomfortable and mocking him. However, he manages to navigate their challenges gracefully.

Upon reaching the location, Matthew discovers an unexpected vibe from Oliver and his companions. Swett (Zack Fox) and Bowen (Olawale Onayemi) seem to enjoy embarrassing Matthew and making fun of him. Yet, he proves adaptable enough to handle their tests.

As a gamer, I’m quite skilled at navigating the intricate dynamics within our core group. They often playfully mock their wariness towards new faces, but it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what each member does. Shai (Havana Rose Liu) appears to be Oliver’s manager and sometimes partner; Noah (Daniel Zolghadri) handles tech stuff like social media content and documentaries; Bowen is our studio mix engineer; while Swett, well, he spends a lot of time gaming and cracking jokes.

Following the show, Matt cleverly chooses the right words, avoiding excessive praise, and Oliver extends an invitation to his spacious rental in the Hollywood Hills. Matt becomes a regular visitor, even though he’s at the bottom of the social hierarchy and often performs housekeeping duties. Despite this, he finds ways to gain Oliver’s favor. He demonstrates talent by filming Oliver with an old camcorder (Oliver exclaims, “Wow, that’s some Spike Jonze-like footage!”), and before long, he’s given control of the documentary and asked to take photos for Oliver’s upcoming album cover.

Regardless of his seemingly naive demeanor, Matt is adept at navigating social dynamics. He metes out praise with precision, using a fine-tuned pair of tweezers at times and a shovel when necessary. He finds Oliver’s creativity inspiring and believes their meeting was destined. “I believe you’re going to become the most renowned artist in the world,” he says to him. Hearing this, especially during a creative rut and eager to advance his music career, resonates deeply with Oliver. It subtly suggests that Matt might be able to assist him in reaching his goals.

In the story, Noah, feeling threatened by Matt taking over his position, attempts to push him back into the background. However, Matt proves persistent and unfazed, suggesting a well-thought-out strategy or just plain good luck. As time passes, it becomes increasingly clear that Matt’s intense gaze, reminiscent of Jennifer Jason Leigh in “Single White Female,” is not merely a coincidence.

The film may start off slowly, but once it sets its tense, unsettling, yet humorous tone, it maintains this momentum. The visuals gain an energetic quality from the inserted video clips, and the atmosphere is further heightened by Kenneth “Kenny Beats” Blume’s expansive synth soundtrack.

The decisive moment occurs when Matthew invites Jamie to accompany him to a gathering at Oliver’s residence, only to later regret his decision as the group shows interest in Jamie. Skilled cinematographer Pat Scola, who worked on films like “Pig“, “Sing Sing“, and “A Quiet Place: Day One“, captures Matthew’s visible irritation in a series of intimate close-ups as Oliver and his companions praise Jamie for his handmade sweater, and graciously propose that he should take their measurements so he can make one for each of them.

Matt realizes it as a clever strategy, yet he underestimates Jamie’s ability to be resourceful. This leaves him simmering in silence when his colleague from the boutique is invited to join them on their trip to London for Oliver’s performance. Matt possesses greater expertise than Noah in manipulating rivals, but manages to sideline Jamie not just once, but twice through questionable tactics that Shai, who is watchful, doesn’t miss. Before they even return from London, Matthew finds himself excluded from the loop.

Eager, persistent and single-minded about rejoining Oliver’s group, Matt creates a chance by manipulating the singer into a legally questionable predicament. This incident is caught on the hidden camera that Matt placed in the living room ceiling, supposedly for filming B-roll footage. Occasionally, the way some of Matt’s schemes unfold seems improbable. However, it’s plausible that Matthew could predict Oliver’s actions so well, given how extensively he watches videos of him.

The movie transitions into a subtle thriller as Matt unveils his true identity, taking control and manipulating situations much like a seasoned blackmailer. The unease surrounding Matt by Oliver and his team creates an unsettling undertone throughout the action. The situation becomes increasingly tense whenever anyone attempts to exclude him, particularly in a scene brimming with homoerotic undertones, where Matt demands that Oliver wrestle him on the bedroom floor. His maniacal laughter underscores just how unbalanced he is beneath his calm exterior.

Instead of traditional storytelling where an intruder would receive their just desserts, Russell optes for a different approach, one that doesn’t rely on predictable retribution, even as chaos erupts. The filmmaker, rather, seeks to illustrate how, despite the typical boundaries that restrict obsessive fandom, an apparently unattainable position can be grasped by someone who is resourceful and determined enough to transform themselves.

The entire outstanding ensemble harmoniously works together, yet standout performances were delivered by Fox from “Abbott Elementary,” who masterfully balances a relaxed and grumpy demeanor; Liu, whose character Shai exhibits calmness, decisiveness, and an unwillingness to be taken advantage of; and Zolghadri, who impressively portrays both the instinct for self-defense and the pain of being outmaneuvered in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.” The film offers a keen insight into male rivalry.

Viewing the story from Matthew’s point of view stirs a mix of complicity and apprehension as we witness his plan unfold. Pellerin, a talented Quebecois actor recognized for his roles in “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” “On Becoming a God in Central Florida” on Showtime, and the upcoming 2023 queer drama “Solo,” skillfully portrays him in a way that avoids stereotyping as an outright villain. Instead, he embodies a character teetering on the edge of psychosis, an outsider driven by ambition who is dissatisfied with his circumstances. The unconventional physique of Pellerin’s performance further adds to the uncertainty about Matthew’s actions and the durability of his successes.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, Madekwe (from Midsommar and Saltburn) is as smooth as silk, giving Oliver a confident vibe that oozes comfort with his own skin, even when the artist within him doubts himself, adding a touch of swagger. In the scene where Matt flips the script, Madekwe delivers an emotional punch that’s hard to forget, his character’s pent-up anger finally breaking free in tears of defeat… at least for that moment.

There’s a subtle, dark kind of humor in the mystery surrounding Matt’s true feelings towards Oliver’s music. It’s unclear if he genuinely appreciates it or not, given his early appearances as Eve Harrington disguised as a socially awkward individual. The ending may seem overly neat, but the final scene masterfully showcases biting cynicism and intelligence in its warning about the dangers of fame and how far some people will go to bask in the limelight.

Read More

2025-01-31 07:55