Director Curry Barker and stars Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston attended the premiere of Obsession, a low-budget horror film that has taken Hollywood by storm. Produced for either $750,000 or $15 million, depending on whether one counts its actual budget or acquisition cost, the movie has officially surpassed the latest Star Wars installment at the US box office, earning over $165 million domestically.
Box Office Phenomenon
Obsession's success is not limited to weekends; its weekday grosses are extraordinary. As it approached its one-month mark in theaters, it averaged over $4 million on weekdays. For comparison, at the same point in its run, Avengers: Endgame—the biggest summer blockbuster of modern times—was earning only half that amount. While Obsession may not ultimately surpass Endgame's total, its return on investment is astronomical.
A Unique Horror Story
The film follows Bear (Michael Johnston), a meek twentysomething who wishes for the devotion of his crush Nikki (Inde Navarrette), only to accidentally curse her with a form of possession. This intimate and gruesome narrative has resonated deeply with audiences, particularly Gen Z, creating a cultural conversation that extends beyond typical horror fare.
Audience Reactions
When the movie reached its grim conclusion, chatter quickly rose among viewers. Outside the auditorium, audience members cited buzz from friends and online discourse as their motivation to see the film. One group noted that news of the movie delaying its streaming premiere created urgency to see it in theaters. TikTok clips, especially a scene where Nikki panics with escalating 'no's, also drove interest.
Cultural Impact
Obsession's success highlights a lack of films exploring the twentysomething experience, even in heightened forms. Unlike other surprise hits, such as Backrooms, which was directed by a 20-year-old but features older characters, Obsession speaks directly to younger audiences. Hollywood often chases crowd-pleasing, all-demographic experiences, but Obsession creates a rarer impulse: to watch even when it makes viewers want to look away.
Writer-director Curry Barker has discussed mixing different takes in an early scene to intentionally blur whether Nikki reciprocated Bear's feelings before losing control. This ambiguity adds to the film's appeal, making it a must-see for audiences eager to decide for themselves.
