Obsession

Obsession is one of those rare, unsettling horror films that doesn't just want to scare you — it actively wants to get under your skin. From the jump, director Curry Barker creates a suffocating atmosphere that wraps around the theater and refuses to let go. You get about fifteen minutes of safety at the very beginning, but the exact second that One Wish Willow is snapped, the air is completely sucked out of the room. I felt a collective, audible wave of tension ripple through my theater. That very first scene after "the snap" perfectly sets the stage for the dread to come. I hated and loved every single second of it.

Inde Navarrette's performance as Nikki is nothing short of chilling. There is a standout sequence where she is simply watching Bear sleep that is going to stick with me for a very long time. As a parent, it instantly reminded me of those primal nights when you suddenly wake up with the eerie sense that you're being watched, only to find your kid standing completely still right next to your bed. It's terrifying.

Navarrette is spectacular here. Her ability to instantly pivot from a deeply obsessed girlfriend, to a normal Nikki who is completely freaked out by what is happening, and then switch right back into a psychotic, love-struck state is amazing. I cannot give her enough praise for what she pulls off in this role.

Director Curry Barker's leap from YouTube viral horror to the big screen is awesome to see. He masterfully builds the film's tension without relying on cheap, loud jump scares (even if there are a couple sprinkled in). Instead, Barker utilizes incredible camera placement and "old school" visual tricks. He masterfully plays with shadows and deliberately leaves Nikki's face obscured, forcing the audience to obsess over what her reaction might be.

He also uses silence like a weapon. There is one specific scene where Nikki is just standing there, holding a smile that lingers for far too long. It made everyone in my theater visibly uneasy, and that is pure directorial craft.

I am going to say this with all the respect in the world: Obsession is a "one-timer" for me. I might give it a second viewing eventually, but I am in absolutely no rush to put myself back through that meat grinder. If you can, you need to see this in a theater with a crowd — the shared energy absolutely elevates the experience. If you aren't a fan of horror, stay far away from this one. But if you love the genre, buy a ticket immediately.