In Obsession, Bear (Michael Johnston) has a crush on one of his close friends, Nikki (Inde Navarratte). While at an occult store, he picks up a One Wish Willlow, a novelty toy from the 80s that supposedly grants the user one wish. Later, without thinking, Bear uses the Willlow to make a wish: For Nikki to love him more than anyone in the entire world. So the Monkey’s Paw curls. Bear gets exactly what he wished for, but in horrifying ways he never could have predicted. Be careful what you wish for.
Obsession is the first feature length film from YouTube wunderkind Curry Barker, who was just recently handed the reigns to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. After seeing this, it’s easy to see why. He’s clearly the right guy for the job. Barker directed, edited, and penned the screenplay for Obsession. He excels at each role, bringing his own intoxicating blend of horror and dark humor to the proceedings. Obsession is never slow or boring, moving at a good pace throughout (I honestly could have watched another full hour of this film).
Rock Burwell crafts the score and hits a home run. It sounds like a decaying music box a good deal of the time, and definitely adds to the fear and tension throughout. Taylor Clemens handles the cinematography and does a great job as well. He knows how to work with dark spaces on the periphery, how to utilize characters in the background of scenes, and enjoys playing with shadows. Clemens’ work adds to the terror lurking within this flick.
Michael Johnston plays Bear and nails the role. Bear is an awkward, insecure, sensitive, and somewhat selfish young man who works at a music store with his friends. When he makes the wish, he does so without any seriousness, unaware just how real a One Wish Willow’s effects are. When things get real and Bear sees how the Willow is affecting Nikki, Bear is left with a choice: Find a way to undo his wish or continue to live in his dream-turned-nightmare.
You’d think the choice would be an easy one, but not so for Bear. So what if Nikki has been turned into an unhinged, unstable psychopath… he’s still finally got her “love”. Yeah, Bear is kind of a weak person when all is said and done (for example: You see him sobbing uncontrollably early on at the thought of Nikki not loving him). Johnston takes a character that could easily become unlikable and finds ways to keep him relatable, empathetic, and human throughout. He’s also an ace when it comes to portraying genuine terror. Most people are going to fawn over Inde Navarrette’s performance, but Michael Johnston deserves much praise too.
Inde Navarrette is a genuine, rare find as Nikki. Curry Barker is so lucky to have found her, and hopefully her performance here will open many more doors for the young actress. She’s got real talent, and easily commands the screen whenever she is on. Navarrette excels at playing “Normal Nikki” and “Freaky Nikki”. We only get to see Normal Nikki for the first twenty to twenty-five minutes of the movie. Once Bear breaks the One Wish Willow, Normal Nikki only appears sporadically and for just literal seconds at a time.
That said, Normal Nikki is an endearing and sweet character. Despite spending little time with her, you like her. Navarrette’s performance as “Freaky Nikki”, however, is what’s going to garner acclaim and maybe even win awards. She goes for broke and swings for the fences. It’s a bold strategy as it could easily come across as mugging for the camera (think Jim Carrey), but in Inde’s hands this is never the case.
“Freaky Nikki” is easily the scariest character we’ve gotten in a horror film in some time. She’s legitimately terrifying and unsettling. Barker uses some editing tricks to even make the way Nikki moves scary. Navarrette is phenomenal when it comes to her facial acting, and much of the fear comes from the ways she uses her face. She’s also excellent at rapidly switching between intensity levels. The girl can go from zero to a hundred at the drop of a dime, and this gives the audience the effect of walking on eggshells. You’re never ever fully comfortable or at ease when Inde is on screen (and even at times when she’s off-screen).
As for the supporting cast, Cooper Tomlinson (from Barker’s YouTube short film, Milk and Serial) is likable as Ian, the “frat bro” best friend to Bear. He shows genuine concern when Nikki goes freaky, and brings up some valid points to Bear. Megan Lawless plays Sarah, a friend of Bear’s who has a crush on him. She doesn’t get as much of a chance to shine as others, but is still likable and does well in her role.
Obsession is an honest-to-God diamond-in-the-rough. It’s terrifying but heartfelt. It almost feels like a super dark version of that episode of The Fairly Oddparents where Timmy wishes for Trixie to be his girlfriend. You will scream, and you will laugh. It’s rare when you find yourself laughing not out of humor, but out of unease and horror. With Obssession, Curry Barker has crafted one hell of a calling card. It’s genuinely one of the best and scariest horror films of this decade. Obsession is a masterpiece. I'm obsessed.
5 STARS
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