Review published 27th May 2026
Watch the official trailer.
A Hopeless Romantic Searching for the Perfect Moment
Bear Bailey (Michael Johnston) is a young man completely smitten with his dream girl, Nikki Freeman (Inde Navarrette). When Bear is not daydreaming about Nikki, he spends his time working at a local music store alongside her and his close friends, Ian (Cooper Tomlinson) and Sarah (Megan Lawless). Despite his strong feelings for Nikki, Bear is struggling to find the right moment to confess his true feelings, constantly overthinking every possible conversation and outcome. Along the way, Ian regularly steps in with advice, throwing all kinds of ideas and suggestions at Bear in the hope of finally helping him win Nikki’s heart.
One Wish Turns a Dream Romance into a Dangerous Obsession
After hearing that Nikki has lost her crystal necklace, Bear decides to do something thoughtful and replace it for her. He visits a local store selling crystals, jewellery, and unusual curiosities, where he discovers a strange item he has never seen before: a ‘One Wish Willow’. The box claims it can grant a single wish of the buyer’s choosing. Intrigued yet slightly sceptical, Bear takes a chance and buys it instead of the necklace. That same night, Bear, Nikki, Ian, and Sarah spend time together at the music store, and Bear decides this will finally be the moment he tells Nikki how he feels. But when he tries, the situation quickly unravels, leaving Nikki upset and walking away hurt. In a moment of desperation, Bear uses the One Wish Willow and makes a reckless wish that Nikki would become obsessed with him. To his shock, the wish works immediately, and Nikki’s behaviour toward Bear completely changes, leaving her intensely fixated on him. But what initially seemed like a dream come true quickly spirals into something far more disturbing, as Bear realises that getting exactly what he wanted has turned into a terrifying nightmare.
Curry Barker Twists Wishes and Romance into Psychological Horror
Obsession was written and directed by Curry Barker. Obsession marks the first time I have experienced Barker’s work in cinema, despite his credits as both writer and director, including the feature film Milk & Serial and several short films such as The Chair and Warnings. According to Letterboxd, Barker is currently working on two upcoming horror projects, one of which includes an untitled Texas Chainsaw Massacre film. Without a doubt, Obsession delivers a storyline that feels refreshing, different, yet wonderfully simple. It takes a new approach to the concepts of ‘wishes’ and ‘obsession’, turning them into something deeply unsettling, dramatically amplifying fear. Think of something with the imaginative energy of Paul Jennings’ stories or the classic comedy film Big, but pushed firmly into horror territory.
Strong Performances and Dark Atmosphere Elevate the Nightmare Romance
I was impressed by the performance of Inde Navarrette, who not only plays a character suddenly obsessed with everything connected to Bear, but also someone clearly living in torment. After all, the wish is forcing her to behave against her own will, and that inner torture is portrayed brilliantly throughout the film. Her performance becomes a disturbing, unsettling mix of creepy, uncomfortable moments that contrast with strangely hilarious moments so over-the-top at times you cannot help but laugh. Michael Johnston shines most whenever he shares the screen with Navarrette, largely thanks to his sickened reactions, panicked facial expressions, and increasingly horrified responses to the escalating situation. The film’s finale is also a major highlight and easily the strongest section of the entire movie. I loved the atmosphere throughout the film, which often feels dark and moody, with many scenes taking place during the evening. On top of that, the sound design and effects are a huge delight, adding even more tension and personality to the experience.
Minor Flaws Occasionally Disrupt an Otherwise Entertaining Horror Experience
Although the film’s finale is highly entertaining and elevates the overall experience, it contains a couple of predictable elements I saw coming. Thankfully, this is only a minor issue. There are also a few scenes that feel slightly disjointed and lack a natural flow, perhaps the result of tighter editing choices or limitations caused by the film’s modest budget. Again, it is not a major problem, just a small element that occasionally pulls viewers out of the film for brief moments here and there. The supporting performances are generally quite good, although there are a handful of weaker and cheesier line deliveries that I wish had been handled a little better.
A Wildly Creative Horror Experience Fueled by Obsession and Dark Humour
Overall, Obsession delivers a fresh and inventive concept to the world of cinema. Think Big mixed with the wild imagination of Paul Jennings, but amplified to full volume. I absolutely loved how creepy, disturbing, and downright hilarious the film turned out to be, especially with its fascinating ideas surrounding obsession and human behaviour. The performances across the board are strong, with Inde Navarrette delivering a standout performance that truly shines throughout. The film is also packed with impressive audio design, a stylish, artistic feel, and a finale that, while slightly predictable, still lands with a strong impact, ending the experience on an exciting high note. More from this director, please!
Obsession (2026) is Now Available in Australia Cinemas, thanks to Rialto Distribution!
About the Reviewer
Peter Walkden
Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.
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