What is "Obsession"?

"Obsession" is a 2025 American supernatural horror film that delves into the terrifying consequences of a wish gone wrong. Written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker, the movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2025, as part of its Midnight Madness section, before its theatrical release in the United States on May 15, 2026, by Focus Features. It quickly garnered positive reviews and achieved a worldwide gross of $75 million, establishing itself as a notable entry in the horror genre. The film centers on Baron "Bear" Bailey, portrayed by Michael Johnston, a music store employee with unrequited feelings for his childhood friend and coworker, Nikki Freeman, played by Inde Navarrette. Bear's life takes a dark turn when he acquires a supernatural toy, the "One Wish Willow," which promises to grant a single wish. His desire for Nikki to love him more than anyone else in the world is granted, but the resulting "love" manifests as a terrifying and destructive obsession, leading to horrifying and ultimately tragic events for everyone involved.

The Story: A Wish Gone Wrong

The narrative of "Obsession" begins with Bear harboring deep romantic feelings for Nikki, his childhood friend and colleague at a music store. His attempts to confess his feelings are thwarted by fear, and a personal tragedy strikes when his cat, Sandy, dies from accidentally consuming oxycodone. While seeking a gift for Nikki, Bear stumbles upon a mystic shop and purchases a novelty item called the "One Wish Willow," which claims to grant a wish when broken. One night, after dropping Nikki off, Bear's courage fails him when she asks if he likes her, leading him to deny his feelings. Frustrated, he breaks the Willow, wishing for Nikki to love him more than anyone. Immediately, Nikki reappears, claiming her father is dying and asking to stay at Bear's. Her behavior becomes increasingly erratic; she creates a memorial for Sandy using the cat's remains and later explains her actions as being under the influence of MDMA, confessing her love for Bear. They become a couple, much to the bewilderment of their friends, Ian and Sarah. Ian soon informs Bear that Nikki had expressed disinterest in him just before their relationship began, and that her estranged father is, in fact, healthy. When confronted, Nikki becomes upset, and Bear, wanting to preserve their relationship, promises not to mention it again. Nikki's obsession escalates: she watches Bear sleep, accuses him of not loving her enough, and even duct-tapes their front door shut. At work, Bear discovers Nikki has packed him a sandwich made from Sandy's remains. Desperate, Bear calls the One Wish Willow's customer support, learning that the wish can only expire if he or Nikki dies. He then hears Nikki screaming in anguish, finding her at home covered in vomit and waste, frozen in place. The horror intensifies at a party at Ian's house, where Nikki recites a violent, incestuous retelling of Hansel and Gretel, horrifying the guests. When Bear is dared to kiss Sarah, Nikki intervenes, kisses Bear herself, and then violently stabs her own face with a broken bottle before snapping back to normal. Later, she threatens suicide to manipulate Bear into joining her in bed. Sarah, sensing danger, texts Bear to meet. In her car, Sarah reveals her past casual sexual relationship with Ian and hints at her own attraction to Bear. Nikki appears, smashes the car window, and brutally kills Sarah by slamming her head into a brick. Nikki reminds Bear that this is what he wished for and instructs him to dispose of the body. Bear, in a desperate attempt to reverse the wish, buys the last three One Wish Willows but discovers they only grant one wish per person. He begs Ian to use one, but Ian, in disbelief, wishes for a billion dollars, which immediately rains down on him, confirming the Willow's power. Returning home with the final Willow, Bear finds Sarah's mangled corpse and Nikki wearing Sarah's clothes. Nikki threatens Bear and herself with a gun. Ian arrives and is shot dead by Nikki. Bear calms Nikki, locks himself in the bathroom with the gun, and attempts suicide but cannot bring himself to do it. He instead overdoses on oxycodone. As he tries to vomit the pills, Nikki uses the last One Wish Willow on him, wishing for him to love her. Under the influence of her wish, Bear emerges and kisses Nikki before collapsing from the overdose. Heartbroken, Nikki prepares to shoot herself, but as Bear dies, she regains control, freed from the wish, and wails in horror at the carnage around her.

Behind the Scenes: Making the Horror

The genesis of "Obsession" began with Curry Barker's short horror film "The Chair," which he uploaded to YouTube in 2023. This caught the attention of film producer James Harris of Tea Shop Productions, who reached out to Barker about adapting his short into a feature. Barker, however, pitched "Obsession" instead, drawing inspiration from an episode of The Simpsons where Homer Simpson interacts with a monkey's paw. This concept led to Barker being signed by William Morris Endeavor and receiving a $1 million budget to direct the film. He spent eight months developing the screenplay, collaborating with production companies Tea Shop Productions, Under the Shell, and Capstone Studios. The distinctive design of the "One Wish Willow" toy was a collaborative effort between Barker and his mother, a graphic art designer. Casting for the film was underway by August 2024, with principal photography slated for October. Inde Navarrette was cast as Nikki after Barker felt she perfectly balanced the character's "crazy and scary" aspects. Michael Johnston joined as Bear following a successful chemistry read with Navarrette. The film was shot efficiently over 20 to 26 days in the Los Angeles area, covering 5–6 script pages daily. Cinematographer Taylor Clemons worked with Barker to create a "center-composed" visual style with "extra head space," aiming to evoke a sense of uncomfortable loneliness. Production designer Vivian Gray remodeled a house in Burbank, California, to serve as Bear's home. The production involved reshoots to refine certain aspects of the story. A new opening scene was filmed, and additional footage was added to better illustrate Bear's initial reluctance to immediately fix the situation, such as a scene where he confronts Nikki for cutting his hair, emphasizing his desire to make the relationship work despite its issues. Unfortunately, reshoots for the party scene became impossible after the original filming location burned down in the 2025 Los Angeles fires. The ending of the film also underwent significant changes. Michael Johnston suggested Bear's attempt to vomit after ingesting the pills, believing the character would be too much of a "coward" to truly want to die. Barker initially filmed a "Romeo and Juliet"-inspired ending where Nikki dies by suicide after being freed from the wish. However, on the advice of his playwright father (who penned the violent Hansel and Gretel monologue in the film) and others, Barker shot an alternative ending where Nikki survives, which ultimately became the theatrical cut.

Why It's Significant

"Obsession" stands out as a significant entry in the horror genre for several reasons. It offers a modern and chilling take on the classic "monkey's paw" trope, exploring the profound dangers of wish fulfillment and the unforeseen, often horrific, consequences of getting exactly what one desires. The film masterfully delves into themes of toxic love, consent, and the destructive nature of obsession, presenting a stark warning about the dark side of human desire. The film's critical acclaim and impressive $75 million worldwide gross, especially for an independent horror feature, highlight its impact and resonance with audiences and critics alike. It marks Curry Barker as a compelling new voice in horror cinema, demonstrating his ability to craft a suspenseful and emotionally disturbing narrative. The strong performances from Michael Johnston and particularly Inde Navarrette, who navigates the complex and terrifying transformation of Nikki, are central to the film's success, making "Obsession" a memorable and thought-provoking horror experience.

Obsession (2025 film)