Curry Barker, known for his internet sketch comedy, has made the leap from YouTube to the big screen with his latest horror film, Obsession. Following in the footsteps of directors like Michael and Danny Philippou (Talk to Me) and Kane Parsons (Backrooms), Barker represents a new wave of horror that is both brutal and savvy, reflecting a generation exposed to the worst of the world.
Obsession is a found-footage horror that riffs on The Twilight Zone and W.W. Jacobs' classic short story The Monkey's Paw. The film follows Bear (Michael Johnston), a music-store employee who harbours a crush on his co-worker Nikki (Inde Navarrette). Too timid to confess his feelings, Bear purchases a 'One-Wish Willow' from a local new age shop, which grants him a single wish: 'I want Nikki to love me more than anyone else in the world.'
The film builds slowly, with Nikki's behaviour becoming increasingly unsettling as she stands in corners at night and grins. Barker's direction is delicate, finding pockets of humour even in life-or-death situations, but never playing too recklessly with the real-life toxicity that emerges between the characters. Navarette delivers a frighteningly unpredictable performance, making the most of her limited screen time.
Obsession ultimately triumphs in its willingness to create two monsters from its cautionary tale. Bear is repeatedly reminded of the lack of consent in his wish, yet his reactions betray his willingness to violate that consent. The film forces him to take accountability, one way or another. Directed by Curry Barker and starring Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter, Obsession is a 109-minute horror with an 18 certificate.
