A One Mann’s Movies review of “Obsession”. (2026, 4.5*, 18).
What a splendid period of cinema it is for innovative and original horror. Just this year, we’ve been spoiled by “Hokum“, “Exit 8“, “Undertone” and “The Bone Temple“. It is also an era when innovative Indie teams are delivering big scares for small bucks. “Undertone” has so far made nearly $22m on its 500K budget. But “Obsession” manages to even top that return on investment: made for just under a $million, it has so far – IN ITS FIRST WEEK! – made $80 million.
And deservedly so. It’s a simple premise, immaculately executed. It makes you cringe. It creeps you out. And it definitely has you on the edge of your seat.
One Mann’s Movies Rating:
Plot:
Bear (Michael Johnston) is madly in love with hot-girl-friend (as opposed to girlfriend) Nikki (Inde Navarrette) who works with him in a local music store. But he is too shy to confront her about it. On a whim, he buys a mysterious “One Wish Willow” from a novelty shop and, before breaking the willow, wishes that Nikki loved him “more than anyone else in the whole wide world”. But too much love can be a dangerous thing.
Certification:
UK: 18; US: R. (From the BBFC website: “Strong violence, gore”. There is also sex, nudity and a strong theme of suicide.)
Talent:
Starring: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy Richter.
Directed by: Curry Barker.
Written by: Curry Barker.
Running Time: 1h 48m.
Review:
Positives:
- Such a simple concept, but SOOOO well executed. As the film develops you are left on the edge of your seat with what Nikki will do next. Things make you cringe; things make you wince; things make you commit to never messing with Willows or even fortune cookies ever again.
- The film earns its ’18’ certificate for gore and extreme violence, particularly in one astonishingly brutal scene. I’d like to say that this is a ‘jump scare’, but you can see it coming (both metaphorically and physically) from miles away. But it still has the power to shock.
- The sound design is exceptionally clever. In many scenes, the terror comes not from what you see but in terms of what you hear. Nikki might be out of sight and in the shower, but she is never out of earshot!
- Michael Johnston, in his feature debut, gives a really solid performance and looks like he has been acting in movies for years. I went to look up where I might have seen him before and was astonished to see the answer was “nowhere”!
- But the acting crown in this film needs to go to Inde Navarrette, in only her second film, who goes absolutely ALL-IN as Nikki. First of all, Navarrette has to be able to pull off being a mysterious, quirky, girl-next-door, just hot enough to be slightly unattainable for Bear, and in that she is perfectly cast. But the actress also manages to go from zero to 99 in a heartbeat and does it with such ferocity it generates a jump-scare all of its own! In one memorably creepy scene, a bit reminiscent of “Smile“, she has to hold an incredibly false Barbie-style grimace for ages. (I was also reminded of that extraordinary final scene in “Pearl” with Mia Goth, holding a smile for three-and-a-half minutes!) It’s a memorable performance and I would hope that specialist horror awards (like the Saturn Awards) would at least recognise her for nomination.
Negatives (all minor):
- Bear is a phenomenally irritating character early in the film with his vacillations and timidity. I just wanted to grab hold of him and give him a big shake. Later in the film, as events turn from bad to homicide, he makes decisions that I don’t think I would have made!
- The film at times requires better than 20:20 vision. Some elements of the plot involve a superhuman ability to read tiny text at speed, the worse being tiny, TINY writing on the back of the “One Wish Willow” box. I’d challenge anyone to decipher it on the big screen, let alone the small one once this streams.
- Nikki joins that list of characters to be ridiculed in my planned “Sex at the Movies” book, who are in the midst of passionate sex but are still wearing their bras! Release the puppies!
Note:
As referenced in this article, the film has been cleverly promoted by Focus Features. As the article explains, billboards appeared in New York simply stating “I love you so so much! Text me?” and signed by a mysterious Nikki. But as time went by, the billboards became increasingly graffitied and disturbing, as illustrated in the picture below. Very clever!
Triggers?
There is a strong theme of suicide within the film which might be triggering to some viewers.
Summary Thoughts:
One of the best horror films of the year so far and in a strong year, that’s saying something. A film I will look forward to watching again now that I know where it is going. But NOT a film I will be recommending to the Illustrious Mrs Movie Mann: it’s certainly not her cup of tea!
Where to watch?
Trailer:
The trailer for the film is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaaDkbG3I7g.
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