Riding momentum from its five Academy Award nominations for “The Substance,” boutique movie distributor Mubi has picked up another buzzy indie film for the U.S. market.
“Lurker,” a tense feature about an ambitious hipster and the rising pop star he exploits for fame and community, has been snapped up by Mubi following this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Screening in the fest’s premiere section, Mubi took “Lurker,” written and directed by Alex Russell, in a competitive situation for a mid-seven-figure price tag.
Exact numbers weren’t disclosed but one person with knowledge of the deal told Variety that the sale represents a significant domestic theatrical release commitment from Mubi. The indie distributor previously released “The Substance” (a negative pickup from Universal Pictures with a $15 million price tag, before factoring in marketing and awards campaign costs) and “Decision to Leave.”
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Rising star Théodore Pellerin plays Matty, a lowly clerk at a high-end sneaker and apparel store in Los Angeles. When his favorite singer (Archie Madekwe of “Saltburn”) saunters in, Pellerin swings into action cozying up to the social media star. Before long, Matty installs 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.
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The film marks an impressive debut from writer-director Russell, who cut his teeth on the Emmy-winning Netflix series “Beef.” Havana Rose Liu, Sunny Suljic, Zack Fox and Daniel Zolghadri star alongside Pellerin and Madekwe.
WME Independent handled the sale on behalf of the filmmakers. Producers include Alex Orlovsky, Duncan Montomery, Galen Core, Francesco Melzi D’Eril, Jack Selby, Marc Marrie, Charlie McDowell, Madekwe and Olmo Schnabel.
Other Sundance sales include the doc “Perfect Neighbor” and Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones-led novella adaptation “Train Dreams” to Netflix, searing drama “Sorry, Baby” to A24 and body-horror thriller “Together” to Neon.
