We Wished for an Unforgettable, Distinctive Horror Film and Acquired Precisely That With ‘Obsession’

Simply if you suppose you’ve seen every premise imaginable for a horror film, somebody comes up with one which’s so easy, so good, so devious, you possibly can’t consider it hasn’t been finished a million times before. With Obsession, writer-director Curry Barker tells the story of Bear, a younger man who’s madly in love along with his good pal and co-worker Nikki. Bear desires to inform Nikki how he feels, however he can’t muster up the braveness. So, when he occurs upon a gag reward that guarantees to grant you one want, he figures it couldn’t harm. However oh, how improper he’s.

Utilizing the knick-knack referred to as a “One Want Willow,” Bear (Michael Johnston) needs for Nikki (Inde Navarrette) to like him greater than something on the planet, and it magically comes true. Nearly immediately, issues get awkward. Out of nowhere, Nikki begins appearing extremely odd, nearly like there are two individuals combating inside her. Bear’s okay with it, although, as a result of she’s lastly into him. Quickly, issues begin to escalate, and escalate, and escalate. Their interactions are humorous, then creepy, then violent, then actually creepy, then actually violent, then actually actually… you get the concept. For all the movie, Barker retains us on our toes by consistently various the extent of depth. Every scene modifications wildly from one to the subsequent, however, thanks partly to nice performances from Johnston and Navarrette, the film by no means feels tonally awkward. All of it suits collectively seamlessly.

Each leads are unbelievable within the film. Johnston begins as an aw-shucks, good man missing confidence—at first, he appears okay with getting his want fulfilled. However as issues get weirder, extra awkward, and scarier, we see him wrestle with simply how far he’s keen to push this, and the way a lot he’s keen to forgive. The film concurrently desires you to like and hate Bear, rooting for him to achieve his desires however admonishing him for what he’s finished to his pal, and with every scene, Johnston conveys all of that in his being. Then there’s Navarrette, who, as Nikki, is nothing in need of astonishing. She’s obtained an enormous vary to play with within the position, after all, however she is consistently charming, terrifying, and likewise insanely lovable. It’s an identical stability to the film’s lens on Bear himself: you get why he would love her a lot, however really feel more and more horrible for what is going on as she places her physique via the ringer and again once more.

And whereas Barker might’ve simply saved that story as the only focus, Bear and Nikki’s two greatest associates, Ian (Cooper Tomlinson) and Sarah (Megan Lawless), present much-needed perspective on all this. Identical to an actual relationship, typically if you’re inside one, you don’t actually know the way it appears to be like to everybody else. Ian and Sarah work out in a short time that one thing could be very, very improper with Bear and Nikki’s relationship, and that viewpoint gives much more twists and turns.

There’s even a throughline in regards to the lore of this mysterious wish-granter referred to as a “One Want Willow,” which we might’ve cherished to see explored much more. However perhaps that may occur if we go to this world once more. As a result of the concept these “One Want Willows” are on the market in the actual world, able to screw up somebody’s life, is simply as ripe, if no more so, than the story we’re seeing unfold.

However the true brilliance of Obsession—and make no mistake, it’s good—is its simplicity. Bear wished for Nikki to like him greater than something on the planet. Something: meaning greater than herself. Greater than her associates. Greater than, effectively, something, and the movie pushes these boundaries and performs with the notion to unbelievable impact. It by no means will get too far excessive, however it additionally by no means permits you to overlook simply how far the boundaries of these phrases can go.

At occasions throughout Obsession, I used to be laughing out loud. At different occasions, I used to be legitimately terrified. And there have been loads of moments alongside the best way full of shock and disgust. It has every part you possibly can need in a horror film. And the truth that it gives such a brand new, distinctive spin on the concept of needs or love makes all of it the higher.

Obsession simply had its U.S. premiere at Implausible Fest 2025 and was lately picked up for distribution by Focus Options out of the Toronto Worldwide Movie Competition. Which is nice information. Which means, sooner or later sooner or later, it is possible for you to to see our newest horror obsession: Obsession.

Need extra io9 information? Take a look at when to count on the most recent Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s subsequent for the DC Universe on film and TV, and every part it is advisable find out about the way forward for Doctor Who.