While it is his debut as a feature film director Russell has an impressive track record in quality television as a writer and producer on season two of the Emmy award winning series Beef and also as a producer on season three of The Bear also an Emmy award winning series. His writing credits include the comedy Dave.
Lurker looks at the complex relationship between celebrities and their fans and the lengths some people will go to, to bask in the reflected glory of fame. The film is set against the backdrop of the Los Angeles film and television industry and it’s hangers on a world that Russell clearly knows well.
Matthew played by Théodore Pellerin, works as a sales assistant at a clothing boutique shop that is often counts celebrities among its clients. It is a boring job but the chance to get close to celebrities is obviously why Matthew is there.
When rising pop music star Oliver played by Archie Madekwe, comes into the shop Matthew knows just which buttons to press to get himself invited by Oliver to join his entourage. Matthew shows himself to be a master manipulator knowing how to draw a subtle line between compliments without being too fawning. Matthew’s fellow shop assistant Jamie played by Sunny Suljic also wants some of the reflected fame but he is brushed off by Oliver as just a fan while Matthew gets invited backstage.
Oliver’s entourage includes Swett played by Zack Fox and Bowen played by Olawale Onayemi, who do not encourage an interloper. But Matthew manages to make himself indispensable and joins the group around Oliver.
This could have been a light hearted gawky fandom film but Russell takes us into darker waters with his plot. As Matthew realises that he can be dumped by Oliver at any time he starts to take more extreme actions to ensure he remains part of the entourage including blackmail and other nefarious deeds.
This is a meditation on fame, celebrity and fandom. Russell who won his spurs in Emmy Award winning TV series knows how to write with nuance and skill. The CoP is Pat Scola, whose credits include Sing Sing, Pig and A Quiet Place: Day One.
Canadian actor the 27 year old Théodore Pellerin has already built an impressive track record in his native Quebec most notably for his performance in the 2018 film First Family directed by Sophie Dupuis for which he was awarded the Prix Iris for Revelation of the Year at the Quebec Cinema Awards. This will be his first major venture onto the international arena.
Lurker (USA / Italy)
Directed by Alex Russell
Cast: Théodore Pellerin, Archie Madekwe, Zach Fox, Havana Rose Liu, Sunny Suljic
