Title: Obsession
MPA Rating: R
Director: Curry Barker
Starring: Inde Navarrette, Michael Johnston, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless
Runtime: 1 hr 48 mins

What It Is: Bear (Johnston) is a lonely and depressed young man who’s just suffered some devastating loss. Working a dead-end job and living alone, he dreams of asking out his friend and coworker, Nikki (Navarrette)–an intelligent and kind aspiring writer. On a night where Nikki announces she’s leaving her job to pursue her career, Bear finds himself using a One-Wish-Willow to wish that Nikki loved him more than anyone else in the world. Unfortunately for them and their friends Ian (Tomlinson) and Sarah (Lawless), his wish comes true.

What We Think:

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH LORD OH SWEET BABY JESUS HOLY SHIT WOW LIKE WOW WHAT IN GOD’S FUCKING GREEN EARTH IS THIS AWESOME FUCKING MOVIE HOW IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD MOTHER OF PEARL MOTHERFUCKING JESUS MARY AND FUCKING JOSEPH  WOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ahem–so, as a big horror fan, I’ll take what I can get. I can’t help but always watch critically, but hey, a good time is a good time, I will practically anything horror, even (no, especially) if it’s bottom of the barrel. When it comes to horror with hype, the reverse psychology hits and I can’t help but sense some resistance in my stubborn brain. I don’t normally trust the opinions of the masses when it comes to film, namely due to my chronically bad / notoriously GOATED taste, but I love it when my impression of a film is proven wrong for the better.

In what I originally thought was going to be another throwaway Blumhouse quick-check gimmick flick proved itself to be something completely different, a very special type of film of an entirely different caliber. Like most, I’ve since learned more of its filmmaker’s origins on Youtube and by now, I think having successful Youtubers directing, especially those with a background in comedy, is now a tried-and-true method to create really great horror movies. Curry Barker is yet another iconic name to add to this list, following the likes of the RackaRacka Brothers, Markiplier, and Kane Parsons. Who’s next, I’m wondering? It seems this progression is only natural as these creators have been able to hone their craft online for so long, they transgress into the film pretty seamlessly.

Obsession proves to be an empowering entry to rise up independent filmmakers everywhere. I don’t normally get to see movies in theaters anymore due to living in the United States of Inflation and working all the time, but when I heard YMS give this movie a rare 9/10, I knew I had to give it a chance. And man, was that investment more than worth it. I’d pay more to see it again; I’d give my firstborn to anyone who can whack me in the head and give me amnesia so I can see this for the first time again.

If you’re able, run to the theaters while you still can. With the right crowd of course, this is absolutely the movie you wanna watch in an active audience. We were all united in that theater, through all of the simple yet effective horror, discomfort, and twists that had people screaming, moaning, and laughing. Please, ACTUALLY give this movie your money, because not only are you supporting something original and beautifully made, but you’re also making a statement that this is the type of film we WANT to keep seeing! Audiences don’t want any more AI Disney bullshit, not washed-up IP cash grabs, not millions of wasted dollars of rushed CGI and airbrushed celebs, but intentional, artistically crafted, fun, challenging, and again, ORIGINAL movies!!

What more can I say that everyone who isn’t a 12 year incel hasn’t already said? (Also that was a joke–it’s okay not to like this movie, but know if you don’t I’m not sure I can trust you with my drink). The cast is pitch-perfect, with Inde Navarette providing possibly the best performance of the year and is unquestionably moving as both the lovable Nikki and terrifyingly uncanny Freaky Nikki. The lighting to accentuate the discomfort was immaculate, the cinematography is beautiful and never too overstated, and the score by Rock Burwell is simultaneously haunting and gorgeous to listen to (I’ve got it on as I write this review). Curry Barker has a unique way of letting things linger just long enough and continuously twist the narrative knife in each and every scene, making this a fun, dastardly, unpredictable watch that ultimately leaves you in despair for its characters… well, most of them.

Our Grade: A+, I liked it, to say the least.

JK, I’M OBSESSED!! But I’m also sad because I’m convinced this is pretty much the best it’s gonna get for the year. Try to dodge the discourse and spoilers if you haven’t seen it yet and see Obsession right now. I mean it: there’s a reason (many, actually) why literally everyone really is in love with it. It’s excitingly scary and the discourse, although messy, serves as a fascinating litmus test for issues such as consent, mental illness, relationships, and abuse. This film is an experience and will go down in history as a cult classic for being darkly iconic in every way.