Overview

• Alex Russell’s feature debut, acquired out of Sundance, begins its U.S. theatrical run with a focus on parasocial fandom and the machinery of modern celebrity.
• Théodore Pellerin and Archie Madekwe draw broad praise for a tense two-hander about a fan who ingratiates himself into a rising singer’s entourage.
• Several critics commend Russell’s tonal control yet argue that the film’s original songs and depiction of Oliver’s artistry undercut his believability as a breakout act.
• The soundtrack features new material developed with Kenny Beats, Dijon and Rex Orange County, whose track is credited in the film.
• Pellerin says the shoot took a personal toll, describing a month of feeling awful and recurring nightmares after filming, while Russell frames Oliver as an amalgam of real artists rather than a single inspiration.