Supernatural horror continues to solidify as the film genre of the moment as Curry Barker’s ‘Obsession’ hits it big at the box office.
Written, directed and edited by the filmmaker (26) known for the YouTube sketch comedy ‘that’s a bad idea’, ‘Obsession’ plays like an extended episode of ‘Black Mirror’ in the wake of films such as ‘Weapons’ and ‘Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen’.
At the centre of the film are music store co-workers, Bear and Nikki, played by Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette. Bear (a nice guy), likes Nikki, (the cool girl next door), but is unsure if his feelings are reciprocated. However, he is slowly working up to telling Nikki how he feels.
Instead, and despite Nikki giving him a very obvious opening, Bear chickens out and makes a wish on a ‘One Wish Willow’, a warning-filled novelty item he initially bought for Nikki. His wish? That Nikki loves him more than anyone in the world.
The saying goes ‘be careful what you wish for’, and ‘Obsession’ takes that adage and proceeds to bludgeon the point home. Nikki, poor thing, loves Bear to the creepiest degree. But it isn’t Nikki at all.
We know this because as the force compelling her obsessive and violent devotion becomes increasingly unhinged, the real Nikki manages to burst out screaming or quietly begging for death.
The effect is thoroughly upsetting and seems to speak to the toxic ways in which some men want to use, own and have authority over women’s bodies and autonomy. Instead of risking rejection or initially doing the one thing that will dissolve the spell, Bear takes some time to revel in his cursed wish fulfillment and engages in behaviour that amounts to enslavement and even rape.
Through Bear, Barker seems to explode the ‘nice guy’ trope. And while I would have appreciated less ‘crazy girlfriend’ cliches and more agency from the women in the film, Bear’s ‘nice guy’ and initially gentle and sweet demeanour underscores the selfishness, mundanity and absolute horror of the whole thing.
Delivering great performances by Johnston and especially by Navarrette, ‘Obsession’ is darkly comedic at times, thoroughly disturbing and certainly entertaining.
While the magic of the movie via the ‘One Wish Willow’ is never really explained, the film invites us into a body horror nightmare that wonders at the lengths men will go to in order to avoid rejection, preserve their fantasies and avert the horror of male loneliness or involuntary celibacy.
A promising second feature from Barker who is currently cleaning up at the box office, ‘Obsession’ is the latest in the Gen Z horror ascension following fellow YouTuber Kane Parson’s (21) acclaimed ‘Backrooms’.
Catch this on the big screen for an unhinged night out. Miss this if you have an affinity for cats.
– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com
