Curry Barker's low-budget supernatural horror film Obsession has been named the 'best movie of 2026 so far' by Variety, earning a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score and grossing $148 million in its first two weeks against a production budget of just $770,000.
Film Details and Production
Obsession is an American supernatural psychological horror film written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker, who gained attention as a YouTube sketch comedian. It stars Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette, with supporting roles from Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter. Barker's short horror film The Chair (2023) led to an offer from producer James Harris to adapt it into a feature, but Barker instead pitched Obsession, partly inspired by an episode of The Simpsons. The film was shot in Los Angeles in late 2024 on a budget of $750,000.
Critical and Commercial Success
The film's synopsis reads: 'After breaking the mysterious One Wish Willow to win his crush's heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.' Critics have praised it, with the Rotten Tomatoes consensus stating: 'Taking an icky conceit and twisting it to deviously crowd-pleasing ends, Obsession is dauntingly disturbing while also skillfully amusing and thrilling.' The audience consensus adds: 'We're obsessed with Inde Navarrette in Obsession, a creatively grotesque -- and at times darkly funny -- horror film that cements Curry Barker as a filmmaker to watch.'
Box Office and Profitability
On Instagram, film seal (run by Pubity) noted: 'Obsession is on course to become the most profitable film of all time. With a budget of just $770k, it's hit $148 million in the first 2 weeks! Many resources think it could easily smash another $100m, which will be the most profitable box office film of all time.' One commenter, ryderonthedarkside, called the film 'a masterpiece'. Obsession was released in UK cinemas on May 15, 2026, and is available to stream via purchase on Apple TV.
