This Will Likely Be Your Next Horror Obsession (FANTASTIC)

Title: Obsession

First Non-Festival Release: May 15, 2026 (Theatrical Release)

Director: Curry Barker

Writer: Curry Barker

Runtime: 100 Minutes

Starring: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson

Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here

This film’s review was written after its screening at the Fantastic Film Festival in 2025.

Be careful what you wish for. This is a through line of children’s fairy tales, classic horror movies, and general advice for centuries. It might be fun to ponder but the consequences of getting exactly what you want may be greater than the rewards.

Baron (Michael Johnston), who goes by Bear, is a shy electronic store employee who pines for his co-worker and friend, Nikki (Indy Navarette). One night after driving her home, he makes a snap judgment to use a novelty “One Wish Willow” that he bought from a crystal shop that promises to grant the user one wish. He wishes for Nikki to fall in love with him. Dismissing the toy as a fraud, his tune changes when Nikki starts reciprocating the feelings he has for her. Unsure if her feelings are real, Bear chooses to believe the delusion. Unfortunately, this don’t stop at just young love. 

A sinister twist on the be careful what you wish for genre of horror, Obsession is the perfect Valentine’s Day film.

Setting up the character dynamics early on, Obsession leaves plenty of breadcrumbs for how the twisted tale of love erupts into violence. Bear and his friend group have this familiar yet warm energy about them when first introduced. Similar to that of teen movies, Bear and Ian (Cooper Tomlinson) have the type of best bro relationship that would portend a much different arc that what transpires. The same thing goes for Sarah (Megan Lawless), the final friend to round out the loving yet slightly dysfunctional work friend group. It would be easy for her character to fall into stereotypical best friend tropes too, but Obsession subverts this with something a little different. As Obsession ramps up, these relationships falter and break before recovering just to start the process over again allowing the story to feel unpredictable.

Bear’s own obsession with Nikki is mirrored in the most extreme way to show how prioritizing anyone to the extreme is bad for everyone involved. Establishing Bear as an otherwise affable “nice guy,” Obsession uses its story of intense emotions to lampoon incels. While never veering into actual incel territory, Bear nonetheless serves as a stand in for any man obsessed with a woman who would rather stay friends. These heightened emotions feel justified for them, but they don’t consider how the inverse would feel. Bear is forced to confront the darkness in him which is reflected in Nikki’s transformation. Obsession refuses to coddle Bear or make excuses for his actions, especially when they spiral fully out of control.

Indy Navarette gives a phenomenal performance as the love-struck Nikki, confidently waxing between sweet and unhinged and everything in between. An undeniable chameleon, Navarette manages to make the chaos of Nikki’s situation feel natural and look horrifying. Bold in her choices when in her manic phases, nothing is more terrifying when pieces of her momentarily break through, pleading Bear for help. Positively captivating in every way, Navarette deserves all the flowers for making Obsession work perfectly.

It’s impossible to talk about Obsession without talking about how smart its approach to horror is and how unexpected it takes the terror. Using a gradual approach to Nikki’s transformation, the moments take a more unsettling flavor at first. Cracks in the veneers of surface-level puppy love reveal something deeply troubled with Nikki. Juxtaposing Nikki’s fun, casual, and caring character at her first introduction with the nasty and erratic version the One Wish Willow turns her into, Obsession shows what limerence does to a person. This is important since many women are already accustomed to thanks to the ways misogyny shapes societal attitudes towards male predation and violence. It also doesn’t shy away from how equally terrifying as it is embarrassing to act that way. Things many men need to see and hear.

Stressful, unnerving, and sensational, Obsession is going to be the movie to beat next year. Scary, hilarious, and deeply uncomfortable, young love turns to horror in this indie sensation. Fantastic performances, excellent pacing, and a timely story makes Obsession easy to obsess over. Writer/director Curry Barker demonstrates promise with such a strong sophomore feature. Just wait for Obsession to take over your mind and life when it drops in theaters next year.

Overall Score? 9/10