Supernatural Horror · Feature Film
Be careful what you wish for — love can be the darkest curse of all.
Obsession is a supernatural horror film that turns a sweet-sounding wish into a waking nightmare. It marks the feature directing debut of Curry Barker, who also wrote and edited the movie.
The story follows a shy young man who longs for his best friend to love him back. When a strange novelty toy grants that exact wish, the results are anything but romantic.
The film became a breakout showcase for its lead actress Inde Navarrette, whose fearless performance drew loud praise from critics and horror fans alike.
Blending dark comedy, heartbreak, and pure dread, Obsession asks a simple question: what happens when you get everything you asked for, and it destroys you?
Baron "Bear" Bailey is a gentle, hopeless romantic who works at a small music store. He spends his days with a close circle of friends and quietly carries a big crush on his childhood friend and coworker, Nikki Freeman.
Bear is too nervous to tell Nikki how he feels. He worries that confessing his love could ruin their friendship and make things awkward with their tight group.
One day he picks up an odd little charm called the "One Wish Willow." On a whim, he wishes that Nikki would love him more than anyone else in the world.
The wish comes true almost instantly. But the warm, funny, independent Nikki that Bear adored is slowly replaced by a clingy, intense, and frightening version of herself.
As Nikki's devotion curdles into something dangerous, Bear realizes the wish did not give him love. It gave him a curse, and there may be no way to take it back.
What makes Obsession tick is its small, tight-knit friend group. The horror does not come from a distant monster, it grows inside people who already know and care about each other. Here is a closer look at who they are and why each one matters to the story.
as Nikki Freeman
Nikki is the sharp, funny, and independent heart of the friend group. She and Bear have known each other since childhood. After the wish takes hold, her warmth twists into a smothering, dangerous devotion, and this transformation is the engine of the entire film.
as Baron "Bear" Bailey
Bear is a gentle, shy romantic who works at the music store and secretly loves Nikki. His harmless-seeming wish sets off the nightmare, making him both the cause of the horror and its most haunted victim.
as Ian
Ian is part of the close circle at the store and one of Bear's steady friends. He warns Bear not to blow up their easy friendship with a risky confession, giving the group its voice of reason.
as Sarah
Sarah rounds out the friend group that gathers for weekly trivia nights. As the situation with Nikki spirals, she becomes one of the people caught in the widening fallout.
as Carter
A familiar comedic face, Richter brings a lighter energy to the ensemble as Carter, offering brief relief against the film's rising dread.
as Viola
Viola is part of the wider world around Bear and Nikki, one of the supporting figures whose presence helps ground the story in everyday life before things turn dark.
Beyond the core group, Obsession fills out its world with a full supporting ensemble. Every credited performer is listed below so the complete cast is captured in one place.
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Darin Toonder | Harry |
| Anthony Pavone | Reggie |
| Justice Joe | Joe |
| Anthony Casabianca | Chris |
| Chloe Breen | Ruthie |
| Malcolm Kelner | Bartender |
| Charles Santa Cruz | Supporting role |
| Alex Maystrik | Supporting role |
| Claudio Parrone Jr. | Supporting role |
| Dylan Searle | Supporting role |
| Jorge Luquin | Supporting role |
Obsession arrived to strong reviews after its festival debut, with critics calling it a smart, unsettling twist on the classic "be careful what you wish for" idea.
Much of the praise went to Inde Navarrette, whose shift from charming friend to terrifying force became the talk of the film. Her work sparked early awards conversation among reviewers.
Reviewers also highlighted the movie's blend of dark humor and real emotion, noting that it stayed scary without losing its human heart.
The film is the first feature written and directed by Curry Barker, who built a following with his short horror work before stepping up to a full movie.
For the role of Nikki, the team auditioned many actresses. Inde Navarrette won the part after Barker felt she perfectly balanced the character's sweet and scary sides.
Michael Johnston was cast as Bear following a chemistry read with Navarrette, and the pairing became the emotional core of the film.
The project was backed by a well-known horror producing team, with Jason Blum serving as an executive producer.
Streaming and rental options may vary by region and can change over time. This section will be updated as new viewing options are confirmed.
A shy man wishes on a magical charm for his crush to love him, but the wish turns her into a dangerous, obsessive version of herself.
It was written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker as his feature film debut.
Inde Navarrette plays Nikki and Michael Johnston plays Bear, with a supporting cast including Cooper Tomlinson and Megan Lawless.
Yes. It is a supernatural horror film with strong psychological thriller and dark comedy elements.
It is the magical novelty charm that grants Bear's wish and sets the film's terrifying events in motion.
It premiered at a film festival in September 2025 and received a wide theatrical release on May 15, 2026.
Obsession runs about 109 minutes.
Yes. It earned strong critical scores, with special praise for Inde Navarrette's lead performance.
It played in theatres and became available on digital platforms in mid-2026. Options may vary by region.
No. It is an original supernatural horror story created by Curry Barker.