This Tense 2025 Thriller With A 94% Rotten Tomatoes Score Is A Must-Watch On HBO Max – SlashFilm

2025 was an excellent yr for films, even when a number of the absolute best have been probably the most ignored. Probably the most underrated film of the yr was a disturbingly related future basic that flew beneath everybody’s radar. Equally, the wonderful “Lurker” from author/director Alex Russell got here and went with out making a lot of an impression on audiences. That was an actual disgrace as a result of the movie acquired important acclaim and deserved a lot wider consideration. Fortunately, “Lurker” is now accessible to stream on HBO Max.

The psychological thriller premiered on the 2025 Sundance Movie Pageant forward of its United States launch, courtesy of Mubi, in August of that yr. As you would possibly count on, then, “Lurker” did not obtain all that a lot consideration. With its debut on HBO Max, nevertheless, the movie ought to hopefully achieve new followers. To this point, it has been climbing probably the most-watched films chart, which actually bodes effectively.

“Lurker” follows Théodore Pellerin’s Matthew Morning, a considerably listless twenty-one thing who works at a clothes retailer in Los Angeles. When popstar Oliver (performed by “Saltburn” actor Archie Madekwe) visits the shop, nevertheless, Matthew instantly perks up, enjoying one among Oliver’s favourite Nile Rodgers songs to achieve his consideration earlier than ingratiating himself with the singer and his initially hostile entourage. This is the primary of many calculated strikes Matthew makes in an effort to curry favor. As he and Oliver develop nearer, the enterprising teen proves to be somewhat extra than simply resourceful, revealing a darker aspect that may simply be matched by his new obsession.

“Lurker” is ostensibly a thriller, however what makes it so efficient is that it additionally performs as a particularly convincing naturalistic drama, and it is scarier than most horror films launched in 2025. That is to not say the movie is a horror, however “Lurker” goes to some darkish locations and all of them really feel uncomfortably recognizable as reflections of our personal more and more twisted tradition.

Alex Russell, who wrote on “Dave,” “The Bear,” and “Beef,” delivered an exploration of what movie star means within the trendy age, during which all our idols domesticate parasocial relationships in contrast to something doable within the pre-web age. Greater than that, nevertheless, it speaks to a time the place social media has exacerbated everyone’s have to, on the very least, seem profitable to others. The film feels significantly well timed amid a tradition dominated by pseudo-movie star influencers and on-line grifters who’ve one way or the other constructed devoted followings. “Lurker” places each the idols and their worshippers beneath the microscope.

We see the irresistible attract of fame eat Matthew as he manipulates Oliver and his entourage in scenes that really feel persistently reasonable because of a mix of Russell’s writing, performances that really feel believably spontaneous, and the hand-held, nearly vérité cinematography of Pat Scola, who beforehand served as DoP on the haunting Nicholas Cage drama “Pig.” As far-fetched as a number of the later developments in “Lurker” turn out to be, the sense of believability by no means actually breaks. Maybe most significantly, Russell does not permit himself to reply whether or not it is the followers or the figureheads at fault. The entire thing is an indictment of the sordid nature of contemporary-day fame and people who pursue it, and it is sensible.

In case you’re nonetheless on the fence as as to whether “Lurker” is price your time, think about the movie’s 94% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics completely cherished Alex Russell’s debut directorial effort, with Wendy Ide of The Observer writing, “The movie is so acerbic that watching it at occasions appears like being connected to a drip-feed of pure venom. And whereas it could not sound prefer it, that is excessive reward certainly.” That sentiment was echoed by Rolling Stone’s David Concern, who described the movie as “the form of irony-wealthy indie movie that leaves you in a state that is equal elements nausea and bliss.” In the meantime, Clint Worthington of RogerEbert.com summed issues up succinctly when he wrote that “Lurker’ “appears like ‘Nightcrawler’ for starf*****s.”

Of all of the “high critic” evaluations on Rotten Tomatoes, just one was unfavourable, with the Chicago Reader’s Maxwell Rabb asserting that “a movie about idol worship within the social media age has to go somewhat extra unhinged.” That is in regards to the worst factor any reviewer needed to say, nevertheless, which ought to provide you with some concept of simply how effectively “Lurker” was acquired.

HBO Max viewers have actually gravitated in direction of the movie. In response to FlixPatrol, “Lurker” snuck its approach onto america most-watched film charts, debuting at quantity 5 earlier than falling to the ninth place. However the film appears to exhibit a few of Matthew’s personal obsessive dedication and has since climbed again to the eighth spot. If you wish to assist what is well one among 2025’s finest movies declare its rightful spot at primary, it is accessible to stream proper now.