Obsession

Dean 6/13/2026 5:34:15PM 8.4

Curry Barker’s feature debut is a flawless, deeply unsettling masterpiece that takes the classic "be careful what you wish for" trope and turns it into a relentless nightmare. The film centers on a music store employee who uses a supernatural trinket to force his longtime crush to love him, unleashing a wave of horrifying, unhinged consequences. Visually striking and meticulously paced, the movie keeps you completely locked in from the opening frame to its devastating conclusion. What elevates this psychological horror film to absolute perfection are the phenomenal acting performances from Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette. Johnston is brilliant as Bear, capturing a desperate, tragic vulnerability that makes his downward spiral incredibly painful to watch. Navarrette delivers a tour de force performance as Nikki, flawlessly shifting between heartbreaking torment and a chilling, vacant fixation that anchors the entire film. It is an intense, unforgettable ride that stands out as one of the absolute best entries in modern horror.

deepaksabat 6/12/2026 2:50:32PM 8.4

Obsession is an supernatural phychological horror film directed by Curry Barker, a youtuber turned filmmaker and what a crazy film he had made on a budget 1 million dollars. The concept itself is so interesting but terrifying at the same time that will make you think that why and how would Curry had come with such an idea. The film is so layered and deep in it's narrative that after watching the film every time you think about it, you will come across a new perspective and shade of every character. Technically the film is solid, may it be the sound design or the costumes or the prosthetics work or the set design which despite the minimal budget didn't look cheap. Performances of both the lead actors Michael Johnston & Inde Navarrette were exceptional, they nailed their roles. Michael does a great job as an observer, a guy who is terrified with what is going on around him, a guy trying to figure out but a subtle shade of selfishness in his character all along. And on the other side, there is Inde Navarrette, I don't think I have seen a better performance than her in any other film this year, the least the deserves is an Oscar nomination, she was freakin crazy as hell, you will be absolutely blown away with her expressions, her body language, her dialogue delivery, her creepy smile she does, she was just an absolute absolute blast throughout the film. You will hold your head in disbelief watching some of her actions in the film, she will surely make you go shivers down your spine. Overall, It is a crazy crazy ride which will keep you hooked with his 1.50:1 aspect ratio which make you feel something unconventional, uncomfortable and kind of claustrophobic and kudos to Curry Barker for his brilliant screenplay and execution. You need to watch it in cinemas near you at any cost. Just go for it, highly highly recommended.

The Fixate & Binge Podcast, w/ Joe Curdy 7/29/2026 6:02:04PM 8.4

Writer/director Curry Barker’s leap from YouTube viral fame to the big screen is one of the best success stories in Hollywood, and Kane Parsons’ **BACKROOMS** for A24 later this month appears to be further proof that the road from YouTube to Hollywood — while still less traveled — can make all the difference. The viral success of Barker's [**MILK & SERIAL** (2024)](https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/film/milk-serial/) showcased enormous potential and a natural instinct for low-budget horror filmmaking, making his transition to the big screen feel like a well-earned graduation. In **OBSESSION**, Barker has crafted a slow-burn psychological horror film that steadily builds careens towards its shocking conclusion. While the deliberate pacing occasionally tested my patience, once Barker’s story fully unfolds, it seeps into the viewer’s psyche in ways few recent horror films have managed — provoking deeply uncomfortable questions about consent and free agency, while possibly making you think twice before blowing out candles on your next birthday. **OBSESSION** presents a seemingly innocuous setup centered on the lovelorn Bear (Michael Johnston), who literally wishes to escape the friend zone with his longtime pal Nikki (Inde Navarrette). After stumbling upon a “One Wish Willow” collector’s item in a new-age curio shop — one that wouldn’t feel out of place beside the Zoltar machine in the Tom Hanks smash hit BIG (1988) — Bear makes a wish without understanding the terrifying power he has unleashed. Encouraged by his best friend Ian (frequent Barker collaborator Cooper Tomlinson), Bear initially appears to get everything he wants when Nikki suddenly develops a romantic interest in him. But soon the wheels start to come off as Bear's happily-ever-after spirals into a nightmare after the possessiveness of Nikki becomes increasingly unhinged. Navarrette delivers a terrifying performance that has echoes of **FATAL ATTRACTION** and **SINGLE, WHITE, FEMALE** -- with additional layers of psychological torture for her loss of bodily autonomy With shocking moments of terror, expertly sustained tension, disturbing imagery, and a fearless performance from Navarrette, **OBSESSION** stands as one of the year’s best horror films.