Obsession (2026) Review: A Wish That Gets Under Your Skin

This Obsession review starts with a simple point: Curry Barker's feature debut proves that a smart idea can matter more than a big budget. The horror thriller takes a classic "be careful what you wish for" premise and plays it with real patience and dread. It arrives in cinemas on May 13, 2026, rated R.

Obsession Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

Bear (Michael Johnston) is in love with his friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette), but he cannot find the courage to tell her. When Nikki talks about leaving their small town, he buys her a little make-a-wish toy, the One Wish Willow, as a gift. After an awkward goodbye, he breaks it himself and makes a wish of his own.

That is the whole setup, and it is all you need. The Obsession plot is built on a question every romantic has asked: what if someone had to love you? The film then spends its running time showing why that wish is a bad idea.

The first stretch is quiet and almost sweet. It gives you time to like Bear and understand his loneliness. Then the wish happens, and the mood changes quickly.

What Works in Obsession

Barker, who also wrote the script, uses tension better than most horror films with ten times the money. Reports put the budget at around $1 million, yet the sound design, prosthetics and set design look polished. Nothing feels cheap.

• A strong premise. The idea is easy to grasp and hard to shake, and it gives the horror a human core.

• Slow-building dread. Rather than leaning on jump scares, the film makes you uneasy and keeps tightening the screws.

• Technical craft. Sound and makeup work do much of the scaring.

One critic described a collective wave of tension rippling through the theater once the wish is made. That matches the film's best quality: it sucks the air out of the room. If you like supernatural psychological horror, this is the kind of film you will want to see with an audience.

Obsession Cast and Performances

The Obsession cast is small and focused, which suits the story. Michael Johnston plays Bear as an earnest, awkward young man whose good intentions slowly curdle. Inde Navarrette, as Nikki, has drawn some of the loudest praise, and she carries much of the film's emotional weight.

Cooper Tomlinson (Ian), Megan Lawless (Sarah), Haley Fitzgerald (Viola) and Andy Richter (Carter) fill out the world around the leads. Richter's presence adds a familiar face without pulling focus. The ensemble feels natural, and that realism makes the supernatural turn hit harder.

Where Obsession Stumbles

The film is not flawless. One critic argued that a single shrill character trait nearly ruins the experience, and that this one aggressively irritating element could hurt repeat viewings. How much it bothers you will depend on your tolerance, but it is the most common complaint.

The low budget also shows in the film's scale. It is a contained story, and viewers who want big set pieces or constant action may find it too restrained. Some may also want the script to dig deeper into its themes of desire and consent.

Is Obsession Worth Watching?

Yes, Obsession is worth watching if you enjoy horror that builds tension and asks uncomfortable questions. It is a confident debut from a director who came up as a YouTube creator and clearly understands what unsettles an audience. Audience scores are strong, with TMDB viewers rating it 8.2 out of 10, while individual critics range from a lukewarm 6 to an enthusiastic 9.

The film runs a lean 109 minutes, so it never overstays its welcome. For more scares, browse our horror movie reviews or our thriller movie reviews. You can also check the film's official page on IMDb for more details.

Who Will Enjoy Obsession

• Horror fans who prefer slow-burn dread over cheap jump scares.

• Viewers who like supernatural stories with a dark romantic twist.

• Anyone curious about new filmmakers making a big impact on a small budget.