OBSESSION - A Review.

Hello one and all.

So, Curry Barker is in a short line of sketch comedians and writers/YouTubers breaking into horror movies - evidenced by the success of his YouTube movie: Milk & Serial, which earned him raves and a pass to make his first feature movie. Obsession, not to be confused with Brian De Palma's 1976 noir thriller - is a Weapons-style horror film that accentuates the horror more than the humor (even though it still has an abundance of it, opening like some overused rom-com scenes left on the cutting room floor) and leaves us feeling icky long after it's over. But is it the "instant classic" everyone is saying it is?

As the saying goes: "Horror is all about timing - as well as jump scares and gallons of blood."

For the record? Yes, but with a caveat. Obsession uses a long-used story trope of "Be careful what you wish for... yada yada". Michael Johnston plays Bear (short for Barron), a likeable if a bit "simpy" every guy who crushes very hard on his longtime crush, Nikki, (a breakout role for mostly newcomer Inde Navarrette), who loses a gem necklace and promptly tells him of her two-weeks notice at the music store they work at over the phone. Thinking this could be the last time he has a chance to tell her his true feelings - he buys a new one and comes upon a "One Wish Willow". A novelty tchotchke with the power to grant one wish only. After a mistakenly "bro"-like utterance that will ultimately assure him friend-zoning; he haphazardly snaps the trinket and wishes for Nikki to fall madly in love with only him.

As the other saying goes: "He's basically f*^&ed"!

Yes, this dynamic has been done to death in TV horror episodes, but Obsession elevates it to the next, next level by making us witness a once normal Nikki, suddenly at the mercy of his wish - with nervous tics, wide-eyes, long pauses, smiles that seem more like inner crying/pleading etc. etc. It seems almost too good to be true - until of course, it's not.

That's the most I will say. Weapons shocked the hell out of me and I will say, Obsession follows suit. It's relentlessly unnerving, anxiety inducing and yes, I will not spoil the route it goes as we already get enough crumbs to know where it's going. It features top-tier performances by Johnston, Navarrette (more on her later), Cooper Tomlinson as Johnston's "bro" friend (also, Curry's partner-in-crime in a good way), and Megan Lawless as an essential character to the story. Her father is played by comic Andy Richter, and is also the owner of the music store they all work in.

What works most is the characters and the need to keep them real and grounded. We instantly identify with Bear, due to his shyness and eager-to-please manner, but as soon as "wish is granted", we get a somewhat human about-face where the idea of Nikki actually loving him back seems almost real enough. But, in a horror movie where a pet dying is already introduced; mercifully, it doesn't go down the Fatal Attraction rabbit hole, pun intended - it's clear that "wish-fulfilled" Nikki shouldn't be around those, let alone people.

This brings me to the actual star of the movie - Inde Navarrette. Like I said, as a relative newcomer to the horror genre, she clearly understood the assignment and strongly commits to it. Equal parts Glenn Close and Mia Goth, with a tinge of Bella Thorne without makeup, Navarrette's Nikki is a wonder to behold. She's gorgeous, but in a girl-next-door kind of way. She's never unlikable even from the start, but once the "wish is granted", the inner tormented soul fighting to break free feels real, even in the sincerest ways, and even when things take a dourer turn, and trust me - it does to infinity. Kudos to Navarrette and looking forward to seeing more of her. As to whether her performance will shower her awards recognition - Amy Madigan just won for Weapons, I'm guessing we shouldn't push it.

So, like I said, the caveat. I will not spoil the ending for you as it's new and is still fresh for me, which means there'll be multiple views after. My main quibble is that certain horror endings will mirror real-life and rightfully so, but I think it could've benefitted from a great "Choose Your Own Adventure or Ending" where it could've gone a more positive route. I cite Jordan Peele's Get Out as the perfect example of giving us a "wish-fulfillment" ending.

Who knows. Maybe in the sequel? Ahh-who am I kidding? Where's that "One Wish Willow" I purchased...?

"Obsession" is rated R for strong bloody violence, sexual content, pervasive language, and brief graphic nudity. Opened last Friday.