CinemaSerf
7.0/10Dec 19, 2025
When acclaimed musician “Oliver” (Archie Madekwe) comes into his boutique, shop worker “Matthew” (Théodore Pellerin) finds a more subtle way to attract his attention, and is swiftly invited to attend that night’s gig. After a bit of light-hearted initiation, he finds himself backstage then back at the band’s house where he develops a fairly rapid friendship with an “Oliver” who knows how to make him feel invaluable. He's an amateur photographer and is soon co-opted to work on a documentary, then a trip to London beckons and “Matty” is to do the photo shoot for the cover. By this point, though, we can see that his clothes designer friend "Jamie" (Sunny Suljic) is behining to steal some the limelight and that his patron is a bit flakey when it comes to loyalty, uktmately leaving this erstwhile flavour of the month cast adrift. Determined not to remain so, though, "Matthew" puts in plan a plan that he hopes will ensure that he can remain a permanent fixture in the life of "Ollie" - whether he wants it or not. Now some of the story isn’t the most plausible, especially towards the end - but before then both men offer us quite an effective look at the toxicity and fragility of both fame and adulation. The ultimate human equivalence of the disposable culture is on display for us to squirm at, certainly, but maybe to associate with a little too. Like a favourite song, or film, or toy that we can’t be without until - well, we can. It takes a pop at groupiedom, from both the star and the punter’s perspective and though flawed, is still worth ninety minutes.
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