Obsession (2026) Review: A Wish Gone Horribly, Intimately Wrong

This Obsession review starts with a simple question: what if a wish came true exactly as you phrased it? Curry Barker's horror thriller turns that idea into a slow, claustrophobic squeeze. It was made on a modest budget, and it rarely looks or feels cheap.

Obsession Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Obsession plot is easy to explain. Bear (Michael Johnston) is in love with his close friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette) but can't find the nerve to say so. When Nikki talks about leaving their small town, he buys her a novelty "One Wish Willow" as a gift.

Things go sideways after he drops her off. In a moment of frustration, Bear breaks the toy and makes a wish of his own. The film then asks what happens when a desire is granted without any thought for the consequences.

The first stretch is quiet and almost sweet. Don't get comfortable, though. Once the willow snaps, the mood changes, and the film rarely lets up. If you like horror movie reviews, you will recognise the slow-burn dread at work here.

What Works in Obsession

The central concept is the film's biggest strength. It is a classic "be careful what you wish for" fable, but Barker plays it as a psychological horror about desire and control rather than a monster story. The writing keeps finding fresh, uncomfortable angles on a familiar idea.

Sound design and atmosphere do much of the heavy lifting. Viewers have described a theater full of held breath, and it's easy to see why. The film prefers lingering dread over cheap jump scares.

The craft is impressive given the resources. Costumes, prosthetics and set design all hold up. Barker, who came to features from online filmmaking, writes and directs with real confidence.

• Tight 109-minute runtime with few wasted scenes

• A premise that rewards thinking about it afterward

• Practical, physical horror that feels grounded

Obsession Cast and Performances

The Obsession cast is small and effective. Michael Johnston carries the film as Bear, balancing awkward charm with something much darker as the story develops. You understand him early, which makes the later turns more unsettling.

Inde Navarrette is a standout as Nikki. Early reactions single out her performance, and she gives the character warmth and real stakes rather than turning her into a prize to be won.

Cooper Tomlinson (Ian), Megan Lawless (Sarah), Andy Richter (Carter) and Haley Fitzgerald (Viola) fill out the supporting roles. They help the town feel lived-in, and the performances are solid throughout.

Where Obsession Stumbles

The main complaint concerns one shrill, abrasive character trait. Some critics feel it nearly overwhelms an otherwise strong film, and it may test your patience. Whether it works for you will depend on your tolerance for relentless irritation in a horror setting.

That same element could hurt repeat viewings. Some will find it intentionally grating, while others will find it too much. Either way, it is the film's most divisive choice.

The small scale also shows in places. The story stays narrow, and viewers who want big set pieces or elaborate mythology won't find them. For many, that restraint is the point.

Is Obsession Worth Watching?

Yes, Obsession is worth watching if you enjoy intense, character-driven horror. Audiences have embraced it, with a TMDB audience score of 8.2 out of 10 from over 6,000 votes. Critic reactions are more mixed, ranging from lukewarm to glowing, mostly because of that one divisive character.

What you get is a smart, unsettling thriller with a memorable hook and strong lead performances. It is also an encouraging debut-scale showcase for Barker as a director. The Obsession release date is May 15, 2026, and it carries an R rating.

If you want comparable genre fare, try our take on Apex (2026) for a leaner wilderness chase, though the tone is very different. For more on the film's credits, see the Obsession page on IMDb.

Who Will Enjoy Obsession

• Fans of slow-burn psychological horror with a supernatural twist

• Viewers who like low-budget films that punch above their weight

• Anyone who enjoys cautionary "careful what you wish for" stories