I just saw Obsession and I got some thoughts. Spoiler-Free.
Now this will be a spoiler-free post because I really want people to see the movie.
Obsession is about a boy named Bear having a crush on a girl. He makes a wish for her and himself to be together, but there is a twist. She becomes obsessed, and to her, Bear is her whole world, which causes conflict.
I'd like to start by giving Curry Barker some recognition. This is his first release in horror and his first movie out to mainstream media. He came in, setting the bar for horror. The story and concept seem similar to other horror movies, yet he was able to play with and add a uniqueness that feels fresh.
Curry Barker did a great job directing these characters. He found a balance between humor and horror, which I think can be difficult to blend. Yet from his background in comedy sketches, he understood the foundations of jokes and how they come in to bring levity. The horror elements were on point and took center stage. I mean, this movie was creepy. Curry Barker is someone that I already had my eye on, but now, after obsession, it's safe to say that I am going to be obsessed with what he does next.
Now, the acting, I think the whole cast was great and played their roles well. However, I got to talk about Inde Navarrette, who played the girlfriend Nikki. She was hands down the best part of this movie. She was scary, and her evolution through this whole movie was incredible to watch. The way she played the obsessed element reminded me of a clingy girlfriend but dialed up with fear, anxiety, and codependency.
I felt that complexity within her, Inde really covered a broad area in Nikki and her personality. She was just spot on, and I think she carried the whole obsession concept well. She really made you feel uncomfortable, sorry for her, and wondering what she would do next. The way she portrayed Nikki is unpredictable. Throughout the movie, you really didn't know what she was going to do next or what she was thinking; she was obsessed with Bear. I found that interesting.
The lighting and soundtrack were also worth mentioning. The score was subtle yet had an impact on every scene. The lighting in a certain scene brought out a lot of emotions that both Bear and Nikki were feeling. Not often can a movie show internal emotional conflict in an external way. Let alone through the lighting.
The horror was done so well. It wasn't like a regular horror movie in terms of jump scares. It had this other element that honestly was carried so well by Inde. You felt scared and concerned just by the actions of Nikki. Not even by her dialogue. Just how she moved through a scene. It was creepy, awkward, and disturbing. It wasn't trying to scare you with too many surprises. It was trying to scare you by getting invested in Nikki and Bear and showing the turn in both characters. You feel horrified just by the simple facial expressions and movements. The scariest parts really made the whole movie. You really don't know, but things happen, and it's amazing how the story arrived at those scenes.
There were a lot of metaphors directed towards Bear. The movie uses plot devices to show how Bear sees himself, Nikki, his friends, and his life. If you pay attention, you kinda see Bear for what he really is. Bear is complex and mysterious, but not in a way that makes him impossible to figure out. There are cues, specific words, and plot devices that show Bear for who he is and how he perceives the situation. Also, the actor who played Bear played his role well; his name is Michael Johnston.
The wish concept, without diving too deep, was simple and effective. One small wish, but it caused a ripple effect that made the conflict so complex. It was like the movie snowballed from one scene to the next. Getting more and more horrific and all from just a simple wish. It had fluidity, and I loved that. It was so engaging because it was constant.
The movie itself is worth watching. I really haven't shared much about the story besides the obvious. Yeah, it might seem like a simple movie with a pretty easy concept. The outcome though, is so unexpected.
I don't want to dive deep into scenes, other cast members, or dialogue. You'll just have to see the movie for yourself. I hope you do because it was phenomenal. One of the best movies this year so far, and Inde Navarrette, man, she deserves an Oscar. Curry Barker should be seen as a serious director, and I hope more studios give him opportunities.
Go see Obsession.