Check out our review of Mubi’s Lurker, which is in theaters August 22.

The cat-and-mouse thriller marks the feature debut of Alex Russell and stars Théodore Pellerin (Beau Is Afraid) and Archie Madekwe (Saltburn).

With an incisive view to contemporary culture, Lurker presents an exhilarating take on the music industry, the blurred line between friend and fan, and our universal search for validation.

When 20-something Los Angeles retail clerk and loner Matthew encounters rising pop star Oliver, 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.

Rounding out the cast are Sunny Suljic (Mid90s), Havana Rose Liu (Bottoms), Zack Fox (Abbott Elementary), and Daniel Zolghadri (Y2K). The film was produced by Alex Orlovsky (His Three Daughters, Memory), Duncan Montgomery (His Three Daughters, Memory), Galen Core (Pet Shop Days, The Sweet East), Charlie McDowell (The One I Love, The Summer Book), Jack Selby (His Three Daughters), Marc Marrie (His Three Daughters), Francesco Melzi d’Eril (Bones and All, Suspiria), Olmo Schnabel (Pet Shop Days), and Madekwe.

High Frequency Entertainment, MeMo, and Twin Pictures produce in association with Arts & Sciences, Adler Entertainment, Case Study Films, Wise Pictures, and Va Bene Productions.