Obsession is a classic ‘be careful what you wish for’ story, like the monkey’s paw, or Robin Tunney’s character in The Craft (1996).
Boy likes girl. Boy wishes for girl’s love. Boy gets more than he bargained for. And while the premise itself is simple and maybe a little too familiar, where Obsession really excels is in its exploration of the dynamic between the obsessor and the obsessee. This is an abusive relationship of many layers and facets, where who is the perpetrator and who is the victim is constantly in flux and at odds with itself.
“Curry Barker has really solidified himself as a great new voice in horror”
Bear (played by Michael Johnston) seemingly would give anything to be the object of Nikki’s affection, and when he magically snaps that affection into existence, he’s forced to grapple with the cost of getting what he wants. Nikki (played by Inde Navarrette) is no longer Nikki, but a shell that can only house undying love for Bear. The kind of crawl-inside-your-skin-and-stay-forever kind of love.
Nikki is utterly discombobulated from the moment Bear uses the ‘One Wish Willow’ (the supernatural element of the story that allows this plot into motion) and her supernaturally charged love presents itself in utterly spooky ways, including: watching him while he sleeps, strange, jerky Twin Peaks-worthy movements, and her possession of affection breaking in fleeting glimpses to allow the real Nikki’s utter terror break through.
It’s a great marriage of solid, character-forward writing that nails awkward real-to-life moments and side character silliness. It immediately throws you into a dangerous, unpredictable situations where Nikki’s new obsession just can’t be satiated. Curry Barker (Milk & Serial) has really solidified himself as a great new voice in horror, and with all of his new projects upcoming, like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, it looks like we’ll be seeing plenty more from him on the horizon. I’d bet my willow branch on it.
Curry Barker’s Obsession is in theatres now. Let us know what you thought of this Monkey’s Paw fright fest in the Nightmare on Film Street Discord! Social Media is A Cesspool. Come Hang Where The Cool Creeps Are.
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