OBSESSION

(director/writer: Curry Barker; cinematographer: Taylor Clemmons; editor: Curry Barker; music: Rock Burwell; cast: Chloe Breen (Ruthie), Anthony Casablanca (Chris), Haley Fitzgerald (Vivian), Michael Johnston (Bear), Inde Navarrette (Nikki), Megan Lawless (Sarah), Cooper Tomlinson (Ian); Runtime: 100; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: James Harris, Haley Nicole Johnson, Christian Mercuri; Capstone Pictures; 2025)

“It never loses its way.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Director and writer Curry Barker in his feature film debut gives us a dark comedy horror film that should be a cult film and play on the Midnight circuit. It features a good story, good special effects, and good acting.

The timid and awkward Bear (Michael Johnston) is in his early 20s. He’s a nice guy who works at a music store. He buys at a New Age novelty store a supernatural trinket that grants him one magical wish. When his unresponsive to his romantic feelings feisty childhood platonic friend and co-worker Nikki (Inde Navarrette) is quitting, he uses the device to make his wish that she fall in love with him. This backfires, as Nikki becomes violently obsessed with him and their romance becomes a horror story.

Their close friends Sarah (Megan Lawless) and Ian (Cooper Tomlinson) think their relationship has become too possessive and is not good for either.


Both Navarrette and Johnston deliver spot-on performances that are emotionally satisfying.


It has jump scares, characters who scream, lots of tension and disturbing dark moments throughout. However absurd and destructive it becomes, it never loses its way. By not pulling any of its punches, it stays the course and results in a solid horror pic that tells us what is not love.

It played at the Toronto Film Festival.

REVIEWED ON 9/18/2025  GRADE: B
dennisschwartzreviews.com