Lurker (2025)

[BluBonnet]

This festival hit is now acquired by MUBI (US) and Focus (rest of the world)

Alex Russell’s Sundance Hit ‘Lurker’ Acquired by Focus for International

Focus Features has bought international rights to “Lurker,” Alex Russell‘s directorial debut about clout-chasing and the dark side of fame that became one of the standouts hits from this year’s Sundance, Variety has learned.

Arthouse distributor Mubi had already picked up the film for the U.S. out of the festival in a rumored mid-seven-figure deal, as Variety reported. Focus wouldn’t comment on its acquisition.

A tense feature about an ambitious hipster and the rising pop star he exploits, “Lurker” stars Théodore Pellerin as Matty, a lowly clerk at a high-end sneaker and apparel store in Los Angeles. When his favorite singer (“Saltburn” star Archie Madekwe) saunters in, Matty starts cozying up to the social media star. Before long, he’s installed himself in a world of hedonism and opportunity — and he can stay, as long as he manages the pecking order of the entourage and the fickle demands of celebrity. Everything that can go wrong does, taking audiences on a bleak and unsavory ride through the petty and fatal byways of modern fame. Havana Rose Liu, Sunny Suljic, Zack Fox and Daniel Zolghadri also star.