Lurker is a film about how power dynamics get in the way of our humanity. The lead characters are a celebrity and a nobody. From the beginning both desire friendship with each other, but their social standing makes genuine connection an impossibility.
The celebrity is Oliver (Archie Madekwe), a rising pop star playing to sold out crowds. He comes into a retail store where Matthew (Théodore Pellerin) works, and Matthew impresses him with good music taste. Oliver invites Matthew out to a show that night, and Matthew works his way into Oliver’s entourage.
Friendship with Oliver offers Matthew entrance into an exciting world of wealth and popularity, and Matthew quickly becomes obsessed with the idea. But Oliver is also pretty desperate for friendship with Matthew. Oliver doesn’t feel like anyone around him really believes in him or understands his music. He quickly attaches himself to the idea that Matthew does.
But it quickly becomes clear that there isn’t going to be any real depth to their relationship. Matthew quickly realizes that he is very disposable – one wrong move and he could be kicked out of the entourage. It’s also clear that Oliver isn’t used to his entourage disagreeing with him – he welcomes Matthew’s input, but there’s a clear limit not to be crossed.
To be fair, Matthew is also using Oliver – he likes Oliver but more than that he likes the life that Oliver can offer him. As his obsession grows, the lengths he is willing to go to hang on to that life are tested.
But importantly, neither Matthew or Oliver are really villainized here. They seem at the start like reasonable people with recognizable wants and desires. If neither of them were famous and they met at a party, they might genuinely hit it off. The power imbalance of their relationship is what turns things toxic.
The focus here is thematic – wealth and fame seems desirable but make real connection impossible. Part of the lure of fame is that it seems social – you have a large group of people who will give you attention. In Oliver’s case, he’s not only communicating with his fans through social media but through his art, which feels meaningful and intimate. But it’s a one-way communication, as no one is able to be genuine in return, and it’s controlled, as Oliver can hide the parts of himself he doesn’t want to share.
As the film goes on, Oliver and Matthew’s relationship gets more complex and the dynamics shift through some key confrontations and power moves. Unpacking these events would bring us into spoiler territory, but suffice it to say that the script is very smart and allows us to see new sides of these characters as their relationship shifts.
So Lurker sets itself apart from many depictions of famous musicians and celebrities by making Oliver genuinely charismatic, likable, and desperate for real friendship. It understands that fame doesn’t need a lot of help to ruin our humanity. Merely the pursuit or attainment of fame can destroy our ability to connect with others.
