u/vigbig

After finishing the movie, I kept thinking about what Nikki actually represents. My interpretation is that the curse doesn't simply make her "crazy"—it transforms love into something instinctive and completely devoid of boundaries.

I call this my "Untrained Pet" Theory.

If you notice Nikki's behavior after the wish, she experiences emotional extremes. One moment she's desperately trying to cuddle Baron or be physically close to him, and the next she's devastated or enraged the moment he asks for even a little space.

That reminded me of an overly attached, untrained pet.

Think about how some pets behave with their owners:

• They constantly seek affection through licking, cuddling, or following their owner everywhere.
• They become anxious or distressed when their owner leaves the house.
• They may cry, throw tantrums, destroy furniture, or block the door because they don't understand that separation isn't rejection.
• They aren't being malicious—they simply don't understand healthy boundaries.

I think Nikki behaves in almost exactly the same way.

Three scenes especially sold me on this idea:

1. Nikki pees and defecates on Baron's carpet.

At first, I thought this was just meant to be disturbing. But then I wondered if it's symbolic of territory marking.

Many animals mark spaces they consider theirs. Nikki isn't just invading Baron's home—she's subconsciously claiming it as her territory.

2. She asks Baron's permission to wait outside the bathroom.

This immediately reminded me of clingy pets that sit outside the bathroom waiting for their owner because they simply can't bear being apart for even a few minutes.

It's another example of obsession expressed through constant attachment.

3. She kills Sarah out of jealousy.

Some pets become extremely possessive when they think another person or animal is taking their owner's affection. While most would never go to such extremes, the instinct of seeing someone else as "competition" is recognizable.

Nikki takes that instinct to its horrifying supernatural conclusion. Sarah becomes a rival for Baron's attention, so she has to be eliminated.

But what about the self-harm?

This was the one part my theory didn't initially explain.

Then I realized that animals with severe separation anxiety sometimes hurt themselves. They may scratch themselves raw, refuse to eat, repeatedly slam into doors or windows, or injure themselves trying to get back to their owner.

They're not trying to manipulate anyone—they're experiencing overwhelming distress because they've become emotionally dependent on one person.

Nikki's self-harm feels like the cursed, human version of that. Her entire emotional existence revolves around Baron. Any rejection or distance becomes psychologically unbearable.

So I don't think the movie is saying obsession is simply "loving someone too much."

I think it's showing love stripped of everything that makes it healthy—respect for boundaries, patience, trust, independence, and emotional regulation.

What's left is pure attachment instinct.

Which brings me to my two takeaways:

1. Be very careful how you word your wishes.
2. If you truly want someone to "love you more than anyone else in the fucking world"... just get a pet.