‘Obsession’ is uncomfortable from start to finish
Potential spoilers ahead
Obsession” is the talk of the town. In just under three weeks since its release, the horror flick has already grossed past $150 million at the box office against an estimated $750,000 to $1 million budget.
The keys? A twisted take on “be careful what you wish for”; the film’s uncanny and uncomfortable atmosphere, and the Oscar-worthy performance of lead star Inde Navarrette—all of which have made “Obsession” a deeply-troubling film we can’t help but keep our eyes on.
Be careful what you wish for
Directed by Curry Barker in his theatrical feature debut, “Obsession” follows Bear (played by Michael Johnston), a hopeless romantic with a massive crush on his close friend Nikki (played by Navarrette).
After botching a confession that left him unsure of her feelings for him, he unwittingly and unseriously breaks a mysterious “One Wish Willow,” wishing for Nikki to love him more than anyone in the world.
Though he didn’t think such a throwaway wish would amount to anything, Nikki seemingly does a 180-degree turn and falls in love with him. But despite being on cloud nine with the girl of his dreams, soon enough, Bear finds that not only does being loved more than anyone in the world have its drawbacks, but that perhaps the girl he wished for was no longer the same Nikki (literally and figuratively) he fell in love with.
Modern horror at its best
As much as horror continues to love its monsters and ghosts, modern horror separates itself from the classics of the genre through its exploration into our psyches—the monsters within us and among us.
Horror can somewhat be segmented into two recurring parts: at night, when things go south and are at their scariest; and during the day, when exposition and storytelling pick up as audiences get a much-needed breather.
Monsters and ghosts need the shade of darkness to be at their most effective—but people, day or night, in the light or in the dark, can be twisted and eerie regardless.
And as soon as “One Wish Willow” is broken and Nikki undergoes her supernatural transformation, “Obsession” kicks into full gear without ever slowing down.
During the day, flashes of Nikki’s unhealthy co-dependency seep out, from asking Bear to stay in instead of going to work, to her uncanny and territorial behavior toward him despite being among friends. Even when Nikki isn’t present, you can’t help but feel eyes on Bear’s every move—the girl at work he’s talking to, his conversation with his best friend about Nikki’s sudden change of heart, the very lunch he’s having. And of course, at night, the jumpscares and the tension buildup every horror flick needs.
After all, jealous partners take no breaks. And just as it is with toxic relationships, its effects aren’t only seen or felt when you’re with a toxic partner in the moment; it also extends to your daily life, your friendships, and your very plans for the day.
It’s a wrap for best actress
At the center of it all is Navarrette’s stellar performance as Nikki.
By now, some of you may have seen the viral clips—from her creepy walk to her menacingly standing in the darkness in the corner of the room. But Navarrette was at her best as she teetered between sanity and insanity.
Her eerie yet forced smile, her tone of voice, even in regular conversation, Nikki felt like a boiling pot about to spill over the moment Bear said anything she disliked. Leaving for work, going to boys’ night, asking about a lie she had said, these were all landmines that could set off Nikki’s darker side, leaving both Bear and us in the cinema constantly on the edge regardless of the film’s setting.
In an interview with Collider, Barker explains the intentionality behind Navarrette’s performance: “We were very specific. It was all about not leaning into possessed. I didn’t ever want her to play possessed—I wanted her to play a jealous girlfriend. We never wanted to play angry, we always wanted to play whiny or desperate.”
“When you play anger, it feels different and more threatening. But it wasn’t about being threatening, it was about being manipulative,” he added.
Without a doubt, Navarrette’s performance and Barker’s vision have already made “Obsession” an early front-runner for the Oscars. And with an estimated $1 million budget, it also stands to show how far a creative vision and a few dedicated stars can go when given a chance.
