Title – Obsession (2025)

Director – Curry Barker (Milk and Serial)

Cast – Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless

Plot – Hopelessly in love with his long-term friend and crush Nikki (Navarrette), introvert Bear (Johnston) makes a wish that will change his and Nikki’s lives forever.  

“I’ll be anything you want me to be”

Review by Eddie on 01/06/2026

Regardless of one’s feelings towards actor/YouTube creator Curry Barker’s breakout horror Obsession, the success of the film financially and with general moviegoers is an incredible one, one that has in many ways rewritten the modern film industry and championed fresh hope about the future viability of the cinema landscape as studios unlock new ways to appease modern audiences viewing desires.

An assured and measured sophomore outing from Barker, who has recently been tasked with leading the new era of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre brand name, the $1 million-dollar budgeted Obsession has ridden a wave of positive word of mouth that started to come forth after its festival debut last year at the Toronto International Film Festival all the way to its recent release, where it has quickly become one of the most profitable films of all time at the global box-office.

It’s not hard to see why Obsession has taken off in such a big way, it’s a film that’s made to be watched with fellow audience members thanks to its many water cooler moments, Barker has injected his film with a rare energy and creativity and the breakout turn from co-lead Inde Navarrette as the unfortunate Nikki is a sight to behold, making Obsession one of those rare features films that has come seemingly out of nowhere, harnessing all the ingredients needed to create a melting pot of public goodwill and interest.

Centred around Michael Johnston’s softly spoken (and frankly painfully unlikeable) Bear who takes his long-held crush on friend and co-worker Nikki to unexpected and life-altering places after a chance encounter with a “One Wish Willow”, Obsession tackles some familiar themes and ideas across its runtime but Barker is able to explore them in fresh ways and thanks to Navarrette’s scene stealing turn, Obsession overcomes its flaws and lack of explanations to become a very fun watching experience.

Previously being known mostly for her roles in TV series such as 13 Reasons Why and Superman and Lois, Naverrette here delivers a performance right on par with recent genre efforts from the likes of Toni Collette in Hereditary, Florence Pugh in Midsommar and Sally Hawkins in Bring Her Back as she commands the screen bringing Nikki to life.

Tasked by Barker to do a lot of heavy lifting here and breathing life into a role that could’ve easily broken the film as well as making it, Naverrette’s turn here is going to stand as one of 2026’s most memorable and her career is one that has been launched into overdrive based off this effort.

Thanks to Naverrette, Obsession is able to stand above its sometimes off pacing and the fact Johnston’s Bear is one of the most painful horror main characters to come our way in sometime, as the bumbling, charisma free and frustrating central figure attempts to make do with a terrible situation he has created.

Had Bear managed to walk a different line and gained more of our audience good-will towards his misfortune and intentions, I feel as though Obsession could’ve been regarded as a modern-day genre all-timer, whereas now it remains a devilishly fun and flawed exercise, overhyped thanks to its social media friendly takeover.

Final Say –

With Obsession officially marking down its creator Curry Barker and star Inde Navarrette as breakout talents there’s much to get excited about here, even if this pop culture phenomenon has plenty of shortcomings many are currently overlooking.

3 1/2 freshly made sandwiches out of 5