The Lurker (film)
| The Lurker | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Eric Liberacki |
| Written by | John Lerchen |
| Produced by | John Lerchen Wynona Ying Li |
| Starring | Scout Taylor-Compton Michael Emery Domenica Cameron-Scorsese Rikki Lee Travolta Naomi Grossman Ari Lehman |
| Cinematography | Brandon Hoeg |
| Edited by | Ward Crockett |
| Music by | Misha Segal |
Production company | Forever Safe Productions |
| Distributed by | Indican Pictures |
Release date | September 1, 2019 |
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
The Lurker is a 2019 American horror feature film written by John Lerchen and directed by Eric Liberacki.[1] Described as an ode to 1980s slasher films, The Lurker stars Scout Taylor-Compton, Michael Emery, Domenica Cameron-Scorsese, Rikki Lee Travolta, Naomi Grossman, and Ari Lehman.[2] The film was produced by Forever Safe Productions and is distributed by Indican Pictures.
In tribute to the 1980s slasher films it seeks to emulate, The Lurker is set in Crystal Lake, Illinois - the same location that the original Friday the 13th film took place.[3][4]
Plot
The plot focuses on a group of high school students celebrating their final performance of Romeo and Juliet. However, one by one they begin to slowly disappear. As students and faculty begin to die at the hands of a savage killer, it is a race against time for the cast to find the killer and escape with their lives or face their final curtain call.[5] Taylor-Compton plays Taylor Wilson, a senior at Crystal Lake High School. Her mother (Cameron-Scorsese) is sleeping with one of her teachers and the school's "mean girls" hint that they have a dirty secret that will ruin Taylor's aspirations to go to Julliard. Gradually the teachers and students privy to the dark secret die in increasingly brutal ways.[6]
Cast
- Scout Taylor-Compton as Taylor Wilson
- Michael Emery as Miles Little
- Domenica Cameron-Scorsese as Mrs. Wilson.
- Rikki Lee Travolta as Ross Little
- Naomi Grossman as Grace Fisher
- Adam Huss as Ace Hoffman
- Ari Lehman as Doctor Stratton
- Kali Skatchke as Emma Jones
- Charles Johnston as Will Brewer
- Casey Tutton as Tory Nowak
- Isabel Thompson as Hannah Hizer
- Emmaline Skillicorn as Lily Clark
- Bruce Spielbauer as Arthur Scott
- Josh Morris as Billy
- Walter S. Bernard as Vinnie
- Roy Rainey as Matt
- Marissa Banker as Chloe
- Arielle Kresich as Reporter
- Ryan Ohm as Capulet
- Robert Manzano as Stagehand
Reception
In its review, Culture Crypt states that "just because she played young Laurie Strode in Rob Zombie’s “Halloween” doesn’t mean she can squeeze into similar role requirements 10+ years later."[7] In a review for The Tenth Circle, Dante Yurei writes, "The protagonist Scout Taylor-Compton (“Halloween” 2007) does a good job in her performance but is never able to overcome her appearance and make the viewer think that she really is a high school student, something that gathers importance in the plot."[8] In his review for Voices from the Balcony, Jim Morazzini states, "...the film is badly hurt by its casting of Compton in the lead role. She’s way too old for the part and looks it. She’s a good actress but she can’t pass for someone half her age."[9]
Several other elements are called out in reviews as well. The Rotting Zombie calls Travolta a "great scene stealing actor" and "by far the best part of The Lurker."[10] Of Grossman, Cryptic Rock's Jeanie Blue says "she does provide perhaps the best death scene of the film."[2] Cult Faction gives high praise to the film's soundtrack, stating "Being that this film is inspired by the slasher flicks of the 80s, the soundtrack feels decidedly from that era. Lots of synths and pulsing beats make the film feel warmer than a regular soundtrack would and it really enhances the film."[11]
In its review Cryptic Rock states that "Flawed from its infancy, the film offers too few thrills and lacks in truly satisfying blood spills. However, it would be unfair to write this off as one to simply pass over, as its short run-time creates an easily-digested romp."[2] In a review available from HK and Cult Film News, it states "The Lurker sets out to be a bloody 80s-style slasher movie that doesn't kid around, and it does so in entertaining fashion."[12]
References
- ^ Miska, Brad (2017-12-12). "Scout Taylor-Compton Tops Chicago-based Horror 'The Lurker'". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
- ^ a b c Blue, Jeannie "The Lurker (Movie Review)", Cryptic Rock, 10 April 2020. Retrieved on 9 May 2020.
- ^ Cody Hamman "Could Crystal Lake Become “Hometown of Horror Films”?", Horror World, 22 February 2020. Retrieved on 17 June 2020.
- ^ Scarlett R. Algee "TRAILER: SCOUT TAYLOR-COMPTON BATTLES A SLASHER AGAIN IN THE LURKER", joblo.com, 18 February 2020. Retrieved on 10 April 2020.
- ^ Chewie "The Lurker on DVD and Digital This April", ScareTissue, 9 March 2020. Retrieved on 12 April 2020.
- ^ Jim Morazzini "Review: THE LURKER (2019)", Voices From The Balcony, 11 April 2020. Retrieved on 12 June 2020.
- ^ "The Lurker 2019", Culture Crypt Retrieved on 17 June 2020.
- ^ "Review: The Lurker", The 10th Circle Retrieved on 05 October 2020.
- ^ "Review: THE LURKER (2019)", Voices from the Balcony Retrieved on 05 October 2020.
- ^ "The Lurker (2019) - Horror Film Review", HK and Cult Film News Retrieved on 05 October 2020.
- ^ "Review: The Lurker (2019)", Cult Faction Retrieved on 05 October 2020.
- ^ "The Lurker - Movie Review by Porfle", The Rotting Zombie Retrieved on 05 October 2020.
External links
- The Lurker at IMDb