It’s official that audiences are obsessed with Obsession. And who wouldn’t be? It’s immediately a genre-defining horror classic that’s thrilling, funny, emotional, and absolutely bonkers insane. Anyone who shows up to see this new horror masterpiece walks away afraid to look at their partners. It takes “be careful what you wish for” to an entirely new level.
Read more about this film, the hottest new horror director, and what he’s up to next.
Plot Description
Obsession is the second feature film from Curry Barker. The director is poised to be a rising star in the horror genre. The film is produced by horror hitmaker Blumhouse, which will help ensure its financial success.
The story follows Bear, who has hidden his romantic feelings for a childhood friend, Nikki, because he’s nervous to be shot down.
After another failed attempt to confess his feelings, he turns to making a wish with a novelty toy. That toy is called “One Wish Willow” and will turn out to be more than just a toy from a mystic shop.
Bear wishes that Nikki would love him more than anyone in the world. Suddenly, there is an immediate shift in Nikki’s body language, which leaves Bear and the audience wondering if his wish came true.
The cast includes many younger actors who haven’t had that big break yet. However, the shining breakout actor of the film is Inde Navarrette, who plays an obsessed girlfriend, Nikki.
Navarrette is most recognizable from her supporting role on the CW’s Superman & Lois. In this film, she shatters expectations by giving a performance truly worthy of award recognition.
Michael Johnston, known for Teen Wolf, portrays boyfriend Bear, and brings a likability to the role even as his character’s indecision becomes annoying.
Rounding out the friend group are the characters Cooper and Megan. All four characters in the friend group work together at a music shop owned by Megan’s dad.
Review
Obsession is all around funny, terrifying, and emotionally devastating. I truly believe this is a new horror classic, and I have not walked out of a film this blown away for a long time.
Nikki is both a horrifying character and entirely sympathetic. The character’s strange body movements and random behaviors leave the viewer in constant fear.
Navarrette’s acting, especially with Nikki’s facial expressions, is part of the reason that this character and film are able to be so successful in jumping between comedy and terror.
There is a specific moment in the film that is so tense that I felt paralyzed. I knew that Nikki would be coming from somewhere, but I had no idea when.
In so many moments of this film, Nikki is used like a monster stalking the background. She is scariest when not even on the screen or in the foreground, because your imagination goes wild with where she could be or what she could be doing.
Obsession thoughtfully addresses themes of obsessive versus loving relationships, mental or psychological abuse, and the toxicity of control and desire.
It’s a tale that is meant to show how the line between love and obsession can be crossed with loving intentions. Unchecked mental health can lead to emotional possession or manipulation.
A harmless crush can dangerously turn into fixation. I think now more than ever we need to hear this message. Social media makes it too easy to dehumanize people and turn a person into an object.
This film is already not only my choice for best horror film of 2026, but best film of the year period.
Director Curry Barker
Barker’s directorial debut was with the 2024 horror film Milk & Serial. However, before that, he was known for doing sketch comedy on the internet.
The name of the comedy group is “That’s a Bad Idea.” They are best known for making short comedy videos on YouTube.
Involved with that comedy group is Cooper Tomlinson, who has been a long-time working partner of Barker. This includes Obsession, where he plays Bear’s friend.
Barker has had some acting work, which includes guest appearances in Dave and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Milk & Serial is available for free on YouTube and helped to launch the director’s horror career. It is a one-hour found footage film about a YouTube prank gone wrong.
The idea for Obsession originated with the monkey’s paw, and he couldn’t use that as it’s too recognizable. He has also cited a Simpsons “Treehouse of Horrors” episode where Homer interacts with the monkey’s paw as inspiration.
In an interview with IndieWire, Barker talks about coming up with the idea for Obsession. “The genesis was the idea that we as humans can obsess over things,” Barker said. “Movies like Misery inspired me… ‘Oh, this is about a woman who’s obsessed with an author that she’s fantasized in her head what this type of man is, and she has an idea of who he is, and she captures him.’ That was the general idea. And then, when I came up with the wish part of it, it all started to click for me.”
Barker’s next film
The director’s next film is just around the corner, and audiences won’t have to wait very long for it. However, they should expect a few more laughs this time around.
It’s titled Anything but Ghosts. The cast includes the director himself, Cooper Tomlinson, Aaron Paul, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Violet McGraw.
The story will follow two fake paranormal investigators who come face to face with actual ghosts. The script was also written by Barker and Tomlinson.
Blumhouse once again is producing the film, and Jason Blum himself believes that Barker is an exciting up-and-coming director of horror.
After this release, Barker will be focusing all his time on developing a new take on Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Yes, that’s right. They are going to try to bring back this horror IP franchise once again.
Nothing in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series has ever lived up to the original film. However, this franchise does hold a special place in my heart. It’s been given to several different creatives, who have taken it in different directions.
I think that, for once, the right creative voice has been found to bring something interesting to this series. People often forget that the original film wasn’t actually that violent. Most of the violence took place off-screen and was implied.
Barker is violent in his new film, Obsession, but like the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I find that he does a great job at the horror of the implied.
The original film was interested in being a horror film while also saying something about American society. My hope is that Barker will not stray away from being more than just a slasher.
Films like Obsession
If you’re like me, you loved Obsession and will be seeing it multiple times, but it’s nice to take a break and watch something else also. The film is unique while also taking inspiration from films that have come before it.
As you prepare for more to come from director Curry Barker (no relation to horror legend Clive Barker, btw), let’s find some great watches.
If you haven’t seen his first film, Milk & Serial, yet, then now is the time to check it out as it’s on YouTube for free.
Nikki, the character from the film, also has some recommendations on Letterboxd for you. Her top four include Fatal Attraction (1987), Misery (1990), Twilight (2008), and Single White Female (1992). Yep, that tracks.
Nikki Freeman’s Letterboxd bio reads, “If you’re seeing this, I love you so so so much.” And her location says, “Wherever Bear is <3.”
Some other great stalker films to watch include Fear (1996), It Follows (2014), The Gift (2015), and Cape Fear (1991).
