Bear is a quiet, reserved young man who works at a music store and harbors a secret, intense affection for Nikki, a friend and coworker. Consumed by his unreturned feelings, Bear obtains an unusual supernatural item known as "The Weeping Willow," which supposedly can make wishes come true. Unaware of the potential repercussions, he wishes that Nikki would love him “more than anything else in this world.” The wish imm…

There’s a delicate boundary between genuine affection and possessiveness, and horror films often find their power by crossing that line. I anticipated *Obsession* would be an intense exploration of emotional dependence, but instead, it delivers an experience that wildly alternates between moments of brilliance and frustrating missteps. Directed by Curry Barker, the film ambitiously attempts to portray toxic masculini…

Curry Barker's journey from creating viral videos on YouTube to directing feature films is an impressive Hollywood success story, and Kane Parsons’ **BACKROOMS**, coming out for A24 later this month, seems like another sign that the path from online popularity to mainstream cinema—though still uncommon—can be incredibly rewarding. The huge popularity of Barker's [**MILK & SERIAL** (2024)](https://letterboxd.com/fi…

I saw a showing of OBSESSION that really delivered on what it promised, and thankfully, that’s the one I experienced. What makes the difference is Inde Navarrette's central performance; she commits so completely, putting her body into it, that I truly think it might be the standout horror debut in quite some time! Director Curry Barker shows a measured and assured hand, choosing to build suspense instead of relying o…

I understand that many are claiming this film is amazing and the top pick of the year, especially among White viewers, but I need to be honest: Obsession feels like a collection of tired ideas and familiar stories from books and movies. For example, the plot uses wishes to deliver a "be careful what you ask for" message—that's something we’ve seen countless times before. The portrayal of a mentally unstable woman as …

It's unsettling to realize that the most direct path can sometimes lead to danger; within Obsession, this idea transforms into a perilous mental snare, marking the point where progress halts and those who embark on it disappear.

This film offers a solid performance based on a familiar cautionary tale. It's remarkable what Curry Baker achieved for his first project given the limited resources. Still, any sense of horror felt manufactured through basic sound effects, and following the story demands an extreme amount of faith from the viewer. The plot itself is weak, accompanied by uninspired visuals and jarring audio issues; thankfully, the ca…

This film possesses both a disturbing and appealing quality. It’s reminiscent of *Smile* in how it gradually escalates its unsettling atmosphere into extreme violence later on, and it executes this technique effectively, creating considerable suspense. The eventual moments of intense brutality carry weight because the tension has been carefully developed beforehand. In contrast, *Smile* tends to reveal its violent as…

Curry Barker’s first movie is a remarkable and profoundly disturbing work that reimagines the familiar cautionary tale with a sustained sense of dread. The story follows a man working at a music store who employs a magical object to compel his unrequited love to return his feelings, which then triggers a series of terrible and chaotic events. With its striking imagery and deliberate rhythm, the film maintains an inte…

Curry Barker, a filmmaker transitioning from YouTube, has delivered a remarkably strange film with *Obsession*, made on a $1 million budget. The premise is captivatingly unsettling, prompting questions about the origins of such an idea. The narrative’s complexity reveals new layers and perspectives each time it's revisited, offering fresh insights into the characters. From sound design to costumes, prosthetics, and s…

The feeling of waking up suddenly, knowing someone’s watching you, and then seeing your child standing silently beside the bed—that's precisely the kind of intense fear this film creates. *Obsession* is a horror movie that goes beyond simple scares; it aims to deeply disturb and overwhelm you. There's a brief period of calm in the beginning, but once One Wish Willow’s character breaks, the atmosphere shifts dramat…

Michael Johnston portrays "Bear," who harbors a secret affection for his friend "Nikki" (Inde Navarrette), but lacks the nerve to even ask her on a date. When she expresses a desire to leave their small town, he impulsively purchases a novelty toy promising wish fulfillment, drawing a comparison to Aladdin's lamp. After giving her a ride home and experiencing an awkward farewell, he breaks the toy and makes his wish …

It's remarkable what Curry Barker achieved with such limited funds. The narrative holds your attention, the performances are good, and seeing Obsession feels refreshing when put next to other horror movies. Sadly, a single grating characteristic of one character threatens to undermine the entire experience. Consequently, while it’s certainly well-made and thoughtfully written, this irritating element will likely prev…