A terrifically terrifying tale of malicious supernatural subjection, Obsession is an innovative make-a-wish horror of strong craft and sensational lead performances that firmly establishes Curry Barker as a burgeoning master of horror.
Every wish has a catch, and Obsession portrays that proposition with chilling, terrifying clarity. The wish in Obsession is asked by Bear (Michael Johnston) a helpless romantic who has a crush on his co-worker and best friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette).
When Bear’s buys a “One Wish Willow” – a seemingly harmless novelty item – he is shocked to find his wish that “Nikki loved me more than anything in this world” comes true. It doesn’t take long, however, for his dream scenario to turn into a nightmare, as Nikki manifests into a strange and intensely disturbed version of herself who will not let anything get between her and her Bear.
Shot in 20 days with a budget of $1 million, Obsession is a reminder of how a strong concept and focused filmmaking can lead to movie gold, with director Curry Barker (Milk and Serial) delivering a horror movie that succeeds in all facets resulting in a bona fide new horror classic.
Barker’s decision to have a level of ambiguity regarding the supernatural elements in Obsession adds to the films’ creepy anxiousness. Although unintentional, Bear’s command upon the forces of the world to coerce a romance into being brings with it all matter of themes, namely what happens to body and soul when volition is violated resulting in an abominable form of infatuation.
Johnston does an excellent job portraying Bear’s awkward yet earnest demeanour as a lovelorn young man who conjures a romance from hell. Bear’s ignorance regarding the supernatural powers he is toying with (which we the audience share) allows him to be a sympathetic figure, even though he is the catalyst of a supernatural form of malicious subjugation.
Inde Navarette is mesmerising and frightening in her portrayal of victim and antagonist in this domestic horror freakshow, nailing the eerie, creepy, almost alien persona that has inhabited a sweet natured young lady’s mind and body and turned it into a meat-puppet upon which traumatic horrors are inflicted and likewise dispatched.
The violence of Obsession is indeed confronting and often grotesque, yet never exploitative or off brand. Perhaps the worst form of violence is the violation of free will inflicted upon Nikki, with Curry brilliantly presenting the ramifications of one person’s God-like power to fulfil his desire and the damnation that follows.
