Filmmaker Alex Russell cut his filmmaking teeth on several buzzy TV shows like “The Bear,” “Dave,” “Beef,” and “Interior Chinatown.” But after the buzz his narrative feature debut “Lurker” received at Sundance this year, he may be one of the industry’s young directors to watch.
Don’t believe us? Well, here’s the first trailer for “Lurker,” which hits theaters later this summer. A parasocial thriller of the first order, Russell’s film follows a budding friendship between a twenty-something and a rising pop star that soon takes on a more paranoid and sinister shape.
Here’s an official synopsis for “Lurker,” courtesy of MUBI:
When a twenty-something retail clerk encounters a rising pop star, he takes the opportunity to edge his way into the in-crowd. But as the line between friend and fan blurs beyond recognition, access and proximity become a matter of life and death.
“Lurker” stars Théodore Pellerin, Archie Madekwe, Havana Rose Liu, and Zack Fox. Wale Onayemi, Daniel Zolghadri, and Sunny Suljic round out the main cast.
Russell writes and directs “Lurker,” his narrative feature debut. Executive producers on the film include Mal Ward, Matt Aselton, Alfonso Angoitia Legorreta, Gabriele Moratti, Lily Collins, Nicholas Wirth, Nicol Pone, and Ben Shafer.
MUBI snatched up distribution rights for “Lurker” after its buzzy world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival this past January. The Playlist’s review (read it here) awarded it an A-, calling it “the sort of film that lingers with you for days.”
“Lurker” hits theaters later this summer August 22. Watch the new trailer below.
