Nikki (Inde Navarrette) and Bear (Michael Johnston) get cozy in “Obsession.” (Focus Features)
By Jade Enos
MINOR SPOILERS
Imagine having the ability to wish for anything in the world, only to use it to destroy your own life.
Directed by Curry Barker, “Obsession” is a horror film that explores how one’s desire for control can become a catalyst for disaster. Through disturbing performances, intense storytelling, and psychological terror, the film highlights themes of autonomy and coercion in a way that sticks with you.
The film follows Bear, a hopeless romantic who is in love with his coworker Nikki. After discovering a mysterious “One Wish Willow” at a metaphysical shop, he wishes for Nikki to “love him more than anyone in the whole world.” To his surprise, the wish works, and the two begin dating. At first, everything seems perfect. However, as Nikki’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and obsessive, Bear quickly realizes that his biggest dream has become his worst nightmare. And while he is the only one to blame, he refuses to take accountability.
Every performance in the film is memorable, but Inde Navarrette as Nikki is the standout. Her facial expressions, movements, and overall body language create genuine nightmare fuel. Navarrette fully commits to the role, creating a character that feels both unsettling and tragic. Her performance is the heart of the film’s horror and leaves a lasting impression on the audience.
The film’s editing and cinematography heighten the terror of the characters’ situations and reinforce the theme of obsession. The dark lighting, unsettling camera work, and sound design create scenes that feel tense and unforgettable. The film weaves some humorous moments into its most unsettling scenes, yet the overwhelming atmosphere remains disturbing throughout. The technical aspects of the film work together to make the audience feel trapped alongside the characters.
A particular scene toward the end avoids predictability and demonstrates the quality of “Obsession’s” technical filmmaking, creating one of the film’s most intense and suspenseful moments. The tension, combined with the performances and cinematography, turns a familiar setup into something genuinely unsettling.
Although the trailer makes it appear as though Nikki is the villain of the story, the film reveals a much more disturbing reality. Bear’s character plays like someone who wants people to pity him. There are however several scenes that shove the truth in his face; the truth being that the Nikki he sees is not the real Nikki.
Bear could word the wish in many different ways, for example “I wish Nikki liked me back,” or “I wish I had the courage to tell Nikki I liked her,” yet he chooses to word it in an extreme, binding way by saying “I wish Nikki loved me more than anyone in the whole world.” While he didn’t initially know that the “One Wish Willow” would work, his instinct for control shows a lot about who he is. He didn’t care about Nikki; he just wanted her to love him. He created this “monster” because he couldn’t handle the idea of her rejecting him. He didn’t even give her that choice.
The film concludes in a grand way, highlighting both the horror, and the gravity of the situation that Nikki was put in.
“Obsession” explores themes of coercion and entitlement, showing how Bear believes he has the right to control Nikki’s autonomy for his own satisfaction. The film handles these themes in a way that is both horrifying and emotionally impactful. With its unforgettable performances, disturbing atmosphere, and psychological depth, “Obsession” deserves recognition as one of the strongest horror films of the decade.
10/10 — Highly recommended for horror fans.
