When desires turn sinister
There’s a saying that horror fans are being fed well this year. With films like Obsession, Passenger, and Backrooms on screens, the psychological thriller genre resurges. Obsession, a 2026 psychological horror written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker, is his debut film and already a must-watch.
The movie follows Bear, played by Michael Johnston, a hopeless romantic who buys a One Wish Willow and wishes for his friend Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette, to love him. His wish does come true, but some desires come at a sinister price.
What begins as passion quickly mutates into obsession. Bear’s infatuation spirals out of control to the point that he refuses to admit something is wrong with Nikki. Meanwhile, Nikki is being stripped of her authentic self, caught in a tug-of-war between love and control. The amalgamation of these perspectives is nothing short of a nightmare.
The film demonstrates the dangers of extreme romantic desire and makes the viewer ponder the fine line between love and madness. Its foreboding undertone keeps viewers guessing, while its multi-layered characters deepen the psychological tension. Fardin Emran Nabib (Sophomore, CS) emphasises, “This film is a must-watch for everyone because it’s not really the story but how you feel after watching it. You do find yourself thinking about the film long after it ends.”
As the name suggests, Obsession grips you with its tension, distorts your perception, and refuses to let go, even after the credits roll, essentially serving as a reminder that desire and madness are too close for their own good.
