Internet Janitor
Horror is a crowded genre. It sometimes seems like everything has been done, and most horror fans can reliably predict what’s going to happen. In Obession, we have a first-time, theatrical filmmaker who took that to mind and purposefully did the opposite whenever possible. Written and directed by Curry Barker, best known for his comedic YouTube shorts, which also directed possibly one of the best found footage movies for YouTube called “Milk and Serial,” has crafted another masterpiece. I just hope the Internet doesn’t do what it does 100% of the time and wait for him to so much as stumble before pushing into oncoming traffic. Miracles can happen.
Our tale begins with a man named Bear (played by Michael Johnston from Teen Wolf) who works at a music store with three of his best friends. Of particular note is Nikki (played by Inde Navarrette from Superman & Lois), who is his obsession. Bear, despite her hints and his friends’ encouragement, has an issue. Well, many issues, but we’ll get there. But one of them is that he lacks even an ounce of confidence. So when he comes across what appears to be a novelty item, a One Wish Willow, he wishes that she would love him more than anyone else.
In reading other reviews and comments, it seems the question of who the film’s villain is. Some people say Nikki, after all, she’s the one terrorizing Bear and causing all sorts of other havoc, right? But. Who made her that way? Who took away her will and forced her to be this way? Yes, he didn’t know it was going to go this way in a monkey’s paw or be careful what you wish for kind of scenario. Regardless. There’s far more to unpack there than there is time in a review.
For a first-time feature-length director, Barker is outstanding. Just the way that Nikki often appears in shadows, yet we can see the shine in her eyes. While Inde Navarrette is the powerhouse behind the role, she is aided by cinematography that makes her look menacing without her having to say a word. The entire film is gorgeous, exceptionally well paced, and I think would need to get petty to really find much wrong.
But about Inde Navarrette: while everyone in the movie is great, she has ascended to the peak of independent-film scream queens alongside the likes of Lauren LaVera from Terrifier. Her ability, and she makes it look so easy, to switch between different emotions is what helps make Nikki so deeply unsettling. Given the film’s unwillingness to stick to conventions, it’s seriously difficult to predict what she’s going to do next.
So, be careful what you wish for. It might wake up in the middle of the night and lurk in a dark corner watching you sleep.