Obsessive fandom is a trait becoming all the more prevalent in our social media-driven world, but one that’s been explored in a variety of ways throughout the years. Whether it’s the darkly hilarious heights of the Aubrey Plaza-led Ingrid Goes West, or the brutally terrifying thrills of Stephen King’s Misery, we’ve gotten a good picture of its dangers.

And yet, it’s in spite of this prevalence that Alex Russell’s Lurker stands out as one of the freshest takes on the concept in a long while. On paper, the movie is fairly straightforward, centering on a socially awkward retail store worker who, thanks to a chance encounter at his job, falls into the inner circle of an up-and-coming pop star.

But it’s where Russell and his lead stars, Becoming Karl Lagerfeld‘s Théodore Pellerin and Gran Turismo‘s Archie Madekwe, take the material that makes it a fascinating watch. There’s no denying who’s the villain and who’s the victim, but thanks to the cast’s performances and Russell’s energetic direction, we’re also given enough doubt to ponder how everything will turn out.

Lurker’s Plot Starts Familiar But Escalates Compellingly

From forced encounters between Madekwe’s Oliver and Pellerin’s Matthew, to misreading social cues leading to uncomfortable developments, Russell gets the movie started on a quick yet effective note.

When the movie progresses, and Matthew begins to find his position challenged by newcomers to the group, that’s when Russell really starts making us squirm. While Pellerin’s character may not go to the same murderous lengths as more extreme genre efforts, it’s his subtle sabotages of those around him that make it fascinating and unpredictable what he’s going to do next.

Even more compelling is the mid-movie shift in which Matthew finds the ultimate power over Oliver to never be ousted from his inner circle. Many of the subsequent scenes oscillate between feeling ambiguous and suffocating as we ponder how the rising pop star will proceed.

Beyond the actual thriller nature of the piece, Russell’s script also offers some thought-provoking reflections on the relationship between celebrities and their fans. There’s no denying Matthew is still the villain here, and yet, some of the explanations of how his behavior benefits Oliver feel surprisingly truthful.

As we look back through the film’s events, and even at its ending, there is an unfortunate reality that Oliver is changed largely for the better by Matthew’s obsession, particularly in his career. While it comes with some devastating bumps — and there’s one that the movie uncomfortably moves quickly away from — I was still questioning my own dynamics with fandoms I’m a part of.

Pellerin & Madekwe Could Not Have Been Better Cast For Their Parts

Having layered material to work with, a large part of what makes Lurker shine is its cast, particularly Pellerin and Madekwe. The young Canadian star does a marvelous job of capturing Matthew’s more disturbing nature as much as his more sympathetic side, to the point that it’s almost easy to feel sorry for him. Almost.

Madekwe, fresh off a heartbreaking turn in Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn, is equally compelling in his turn as Oliver. Starting as a carefree artist, the English star unlocks intriguing new layers in his character as the film progresses, particularly when he begins to turn on Matthew, and we get a feeling he may be more of a manipulative figure than we initially think.

Russell’s Direction Is Kinetic & Perfect For This World

In addition to providing a great script, Russell proves to have an excellent eye in the director’s chair. He and cinematographer Pat Scola nicely mix a range of visual styles for their scenes, making particular use of handheld close-ups, putting us right into the emotion of each scene.

While this creates a kinetic energy to keep us engaged, it’s also the perfect depiction of Lurker‘s artist-driven world. Oliver and his friends are so often spontaneous in their actions and behaviors that having a filming style that can similarly change on a dime creates such a great, dizzying pathway to being fully immersed in the story.