Obsession
2025
****
Director: Curry Barker
Cast: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy Richter, Haley Fitzgerald, Darin Toonder, Chloe Breen, Anthony Pavone, Justice, Anthony Casabianca, Malcolm Kelner
Bear, a shy young man, buys a novelty wish object in order to make his friend Nikki fall in love with him. To his surprise, the wish succeeds, but Nikki's sweet affection quickly turns into a terrifying obsession. Curry Barker's theatrical debut is an impressively creepy and deliberately paced horror film, which proves that one should be careful what they wish for. Barker's smart screenplay examines toxic relationships, romantic co-dependency, male entitlement, and control. Inde Navarrette gives a terrific breakthrough performance as Nikki, and although Michael Johnston is good as Bear, the week-willed character tested my patience at times. The film, which was shot on a shoestring budget, became a massive sleeper hit.
