A screw-turning psychological thriller made for the moment, LURKER is the razor-sharp directorial debut from “The Bear” and “Beef” writer-producer Alex Russell.
When twenty-something Los Angeles retail clerk and loner Matthew (Théodore Pellerin) encounters rising pop star Oliver (SALTBURN’s Archie Madekwe), he takes the opportunity to edge his way into the in-crowd. But staying there isn’t easy. With an entire entourage vying for attention, Matthew must prove himself to Oliver as more than just a follower. As their bond grows strained and mainstream fame appears within reach, access and proximity become a matter of life and death. Online fixation meets reality in this parasocial, paranoid cat-and-mouse film driven by star-making performances. With an incisive view to contemporary culture and a brilliant score from Kenny Beats (known for his work with Vince Staples), LURKER presents an exhilarating take on the music industry, the blurred line between friend and fan, and our universal search for validation.With Havana Rose Liu (BOTTOMS), Zack Fox (“Abbott Elementary”), Daniel Zolghadri (Y2K), Sunny Suljic (Mid90s).
“Brilliant. Riveting. One of the best films of the year.” (Vogue Magazine)
“‘Lurker’ feels less like a narrative thriller and more like a chilling, genuine document of how easy it’s become to manipulate those around us in a hyper-digital world, where the mere proximity to celebrity can be as powerful as celebrity itself.” (Salon.com)
“‘Lurker’ which feels like ‘Nightcrawler’ for starfuckers in the best possible way.” (RogerEbert.com)
“A tight and wicked little film, a promising debut feature for the writer and director Alex Russell, a kind of minimalist counterbalance to the maximalist dissipation of ‘Saltburn’.” (New York Times)
“The sort of irony-rich indie film that leaves you in a state that’s equal parts nausea and bliss.” (Rolling Stone Magazine)
Wednesday, September 24
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Tickets HERE
LURKER (Alex Russell, 2024 / 100 mins / 14A) A retail employee infiltrates the inner circle of an artist on the verge of stardom. As he gets closer to the budding music star, access and proximity become a matter of life and death.
*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale. No refunds or exchanges.