Recxpectations: Lurker

Lurker almost feels like a companion piece to The Weeknd’s “Hurry Up Tomorrow.” It’s another movie in which an obsessed fan goes to great lengths to stay in the orbit of their favorite artist. Lurker focuses more on the obsessed fan than the artist. It’s yet another movie that I’d recommend avoiding the trailer because it gives away most of this slow burn movie.

EXPECT: to feel uncomfortable
I didn’t care for Lurker but it did successfully capture the vibe of discomfort. The film is a slow burn and the lead is clearly a bit off from the very jump so it’s less like watching someone’s slow descent into madness as it is watching a crazy person do their thing. If you enjoy films that are slow and make you squirm in your seat because you see what’s happening a mile away, this movie could be for you.

DON’T EXPECT: any heroes
Another reason that Lurker wasn’t for me is that I tend not to watch films or shows in which everyone’s kind of a jerk or full of it. Sometimes, lauded shows like “White Lotus” don’t work for me because of it; I see enough of horrible people in the real world, I don’t need to invite them into my life via entertainment as well. With Lurker, nobody is really a great person; everyone is deeply self-centered in their own way.

EXPECT: a film as self-centered as the main characters
Somewhat ironically, this movie is, itself, obsessed with the two leads. We don’t really learn about anyone else. There are some storylines involving tertiary characters that arise and then are pushed aside. The BS that everyone floats about how amazing the art is in the film (none of it is all that inspiring) isn’t really investigated. I honestly have no idea what the time frame of the movie was. The film gets lose in the relationship between the star and the stalker and, for me, didn’t really have much to say even about that.

I might be harsh on this one but, at the very least, I think it’s best to go in with low expectations. If it works for you, all the better!