Obsession Review (2026): A Technically Brilliant Horror Film That Becomes Almost Too Miserable to Endure

Stars: 3/5

Obsession

Directed by Curry Barker

Written by Curry Barker

Starring Michael Johnston, Inde Navarette

Released May 15, 2026

Can a movie ever be too effective? Can a film achieve exactly what it intends in a way so upsetting and off-putting that it becomes genuinely repellent?

A version of this conversation seems to happen every year as film critics wrestle with the insecurity of disliking something their peers clearly consider among the best movies of the moment.

Obsession has fast become an obsession among my fellow critics, many of whom have lavished the film with praise. And I can’t argue that it doesn’t deserve praise. From a technical standpoint and a performance standpoint, the film is remarkably accomplished.

And yet, I can’t get behind it.

For me, Obsession is simply too miserable.

A Clever “Be Careful What You Wish For” Premise

Obsession stars Michael Johnston as Baron, or “Bear” to his friends. Bear is quiet, kind, and deeply sensitive. For some time now, he’s nursed a crush on one of his closest friends, Nikki (Inde Navarette), but he can’t gather the courage to ask her out and risk upsetting the comfortable dynamic between himself and their co-workers Ian (Cooper Tomlinson) and Sarah (Megan Lawless).

Eventually, however, Bear reaches a breaking point — a now-or-never moment where he either confesses his feelings or resigns himself to pining forever.

When the moment finally comes, Bear chokes. He simply can’t get the words out.

Frustrated, he pulls out a gift he had bought for Nikki but never gave her: a magical tchotchke called the “One Wish Willow,” an urban legend that supposedly grants wishes.

With seemingly nothing left to lose, Bear cracks the Willow and wishes for Nikki to love him more than anyone else on Earth.

At first, it doesn’t appear to work.

Though Nikki returns and invites herself into his apartment, she also appears to be under the influence of MDMA, which could explain her sudden behavior. But by the following day, something has clearly changed. Nikki stares longingly at Bear throughout work, shows up at his home again that night, and their relationship quickly becomes physical.

Soon, it becomes horrifyingly clear that Bear’s wish has come true.

Inde Navarette Delivers a Terrifying Performance

Like all classic “be careful what you wish for” stories, the consequences are catastrophic.

Nikki becomes psychologically incapable of functioning unless Bear constantly reassures her of his love. The slightest hint of emotional distance sends her spiraling into panic and rage.

In one especially disturbing sequence, Nikki spends an entire day standing motionless in front of Bear’s apartment door while he’s at work, waiting for him to come home. Nature inevitably takes its course — and she still refuses to move.

It’s an absolutely grotesque scene made believable by Inde Navarette’s remarkable physical performance and expressive facial work. She sells the horror completely.

I have many good things to say about Obsession, but I never want to think about this movie again for the rest of my life.

A Horror Film Determined to Make You Miserable

The film takes its premise to the most logical extreme possible and, in doing so, becomes an exercise in pure emotional misery.

I understand the artistic argument for that approach. It’s more honest and arguably more terrifying to fully commit to the inevitable consequences of Bear’s wish. Curry Barker refuses to soften the ugliness of obsession, codependency, or emotional desperation.

But I’ve rarely walked out of a movie feeling more depressed than I did here.

Admittedly, some of that reaction may be personal. I relate far too deeply to Bear. I’ve experienced the pain of falling in love with close female friends and the heartbreak that can come from risking — and sometimes losing — those friendships in pursuit of romance.

So I see far too much of Bear’s insecurity and sensitivity in myself.

Still, regardless of my personal connection, the film takes a brutal turn at the start of the third act that is both inevitable and shocking. It pushes Obsession into such an ugly and emotionally exhausting direction that I largely checked out afterward.

Realistically, once that moment occurs, the story has nowhere left to go except toward the bleakest possible conclusion.

Final Thoughts on Obsession

If Curry Barker’s intention was to create the most miserable filmgoing experience imaginable while using the best possible filmmaking and storytelling techniques, then Obsession may genuinely be one of the best horror films of 2026 so far.

I was legitimately miserable when the credits rolled.

But misery alone isn’t necessarily something I can recommend to general audiences, most of whom don’t go to the movies hoping to leave feeling emotionally devastated.

Tags

* Obsession review

* Obsession 2026 movie review

* Curry Barker

* Michael Johnston

* Inde Navarette

* horror movie reviews

* psychological horror

* 2026 horror movies

* indie horror films

* movie reviews