‘Obsession’ Review Thread

I will continue to update this post as reviews come in.

Rotten Tomatoes: Fresh

Critics Consensus: Taking an icky conceit and twisting it to deviously crowd-pleasing ends, Obsession is dauntingly disturbing while also skillfully amusing and thrilling.

Metacritic: 81 (10 Reviews)

Sample Reviews:

Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter – It’s Navarrette, though, who truly gives the film it’s mojo. [She] delivers such a virtuosic performance as the spellbound Nikki that she’ll induce nightmares for anyone who’s ever wondered what exactly the hell is going on with their romantic partner.

Marshall Shaffer, Slant Magazine 3/4 – Obsession’s big set-piece sequences are as chilling in their effect as they are confident in their execution.

Kristen Lopez, The Film Maven D – Obsession is a skin crawling male fantasy film in the worst way. A screeching, grating tale of misogyny that doesn't want to get in the weeds of its female character's suffering.

Linda Marric, HeyUGuys 4/5 – It has things to say about loneliness and manipulation, and it says them with considerable determination.

Nick Schager, The Daily Beast – A deliriously pointed cautionary tale about the perils of getting what you want, and an instant contender for classic midnight-movie status.

Virginie Sélavy, Sight & Sound – Obsession is well crafted and enjoyable, and holds a troubling mirror to current male fears and desires.

Perri Nemiroff, Perri Nemiroff (YouTube) 4.5/5 – Obsession is the complete package – a fantastic original concept, well earned laughs, a significant amount of tension, and some downright stellar set pieces. It also features what’s already bound to be one of the very best performances of 2026.

Meagan Navarro, Bloody Disgusting 4/5 – A simple, well-trodden concept transforms into a shocking and unsettling descent into abject horror in Barker’s capable hands, ensuring that his latest is destined to become horror’s latest, well, obsession.

Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com – Barker pulls nothing, getting darker, creepier, and bloodier with each passing scene in this study of extreme dependence.

Benjamin Lee, Guardian 4/5 – It’s the perfect next chapter for Barker… Obsession is satisfyingly slick proof that he knows just what to do when levelling up to a different platform.

Christian Zilko, IndieWire B+ – The fact that a movie like “Obsession” can even exist is evidence of the tiniest bit of social progress.

SYNOPSIS:

After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.

CAST:

• Michael Johnston as Bear
• Inde Navarrette as Nikki
• Cooper Tomlinson as Ian
• Megan Lawless as Sarah
• Andy Richter as Carter

DIRECTED BY: Curry Barker

SCREENPLAY BY: Curry Barker

PRODUCED BY: James Harris, Haley Nicole Johnson, Christian Mercuri, Roman Viaris

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Jason Blum, Leonora Darby, Mark Lane, David Haring, Ruzanna Kegeyan

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Taylor Clemons

PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Vivian Gray

EDITED BY: Curry Barker

COSTUME DESIGNER: Blair James

MUSIC BY: Rock Burwell

CASTING BY: Skyler Zurn

RUNTIME: 108 Minutes

RELEASE DATE: May 15, 2026