r/deadmeatjames

Obviously Bear is a vile piece of shit, I doubt anyone would argue that except for some weirdos online.

However, both Ian and Sarah are bad friends too, even if they're nowhere near as bad as Bear.

Ian: Pushes Bear to pursue Nikki, while hooking up with her himself for the last two years AND knowing she didn't really like him. On top of that, he's jealous of their "relationship" that he doesn't even care about the things that are wrong with Nikki until the party scene, and even after that, he refuses to believe Bear and doesn't help with the wish to free Nikki. On top of that, he tells Bear to be mean to her, even bringing up the "Freaky Nikki" nickname they both know she hates.

Sarah: She had this weird animosity towards Nikki the whole movie, it was subtle at first, but it became less so after the wish. I know she's jealous and is crushing on Bear, but she talks shit about Nikki when she isn't around and doesn't see that something is clearly wrong, even after the party scene. In fact, she uses the party as an excuse to talk even more shit about her, spread the gossip about Nikki and Ian, and still is more fixated on wanting to be with Bear than actually helping Nikki.

Now, I'm not saying either of them deserved to die, but let's be real, they were both bad friends to Nikki and felt like they only hung out with her due to Bear and being co-workers.

Saw the movie on Monday and it was amazing! Such an unsettling film and standout performances from Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston. After sitting with the movie for a couple of days, I have thoughts on who the villain of the movie is, and surprise, surprise, it's Bear.

I don't think I'm gonna get a lot of disagreements with that hot take, but I think where I might differ is at what point in the movie we should see him as the villain. I watched one review that said that prior to him making the wish, he was innocent and that he was just an awkward and shy guy who just couldn't express his feelings to Nikki because he was scared.

And yes, he was for sure those things, I think Curry Barker makes it pretty clear early on, that Nikki is Bears obsession. I think, one hundred percent his feelings and "love" for Nikki is genuine, the opening monologue is meant to convey that to us as the audience, but when he gets home to find his cat dead, and he's breaking down and Nikki calls him, there's a moment for him to be human and just open up to Nikki about why he can't go to trivia night, he just pushes it aside and goes because he, once again, lets his obsession with Nikki cloud his judgment.

The only time he's human is when he tells Sarah about his cat and cries her arms. Then later after he drops Nikki off, she tells him to just admit his feelings for her, showing that she's always known (probably because Bear is not subtle about it) and he once again wusses out. Whether or not Nikki would've friend zoned him or possibly given him a shot, we'll never know because immediately he makes that wish.

I've seen some argue that because he didn't think it was real, that the wish was innocent, but I think the wording of the wish is telling. It's written in a way to sound innocent, but the subtext is pretty clear, he wants her as obsessed with him as he is her. He could've worded the wish "I wish I could tell Nikki how I really feel" but instead he says "I wish Nikki Freeman loved me more than anyone in the whole wide world".

Then Curry does something with Nikki that, in my opinion, is genius. He has Nikki act instantly different. So much different that anyone who truly loved and cared for a person, would notice a difference immediately. The reason this is important is because it's supposed to highlight to us as the audience that Bear just wants the idea of Nikki, but not the real Nikki. You see Bear tread the line with her, like he thinks she drunk, or on something, but he still wants her. Getting in bed with her after she takes her top off. If she hadn't screamed and jumped out of bed, he would've one hundred percent slept with her that night.

A lot of people point to the restaurant scene as his villain turn because of the "sex" scene after, but to me that moment is the visual representation of him becoming the villain. His real villain turn the moment he brought Nikki home after he made the wish.

I want to talk about it here because I cant seem to find the comment on letterboxd or reddit about it but it was something funny between the two about how the beating brick makes a cameo in obsession. I think the comment said how the beating brick has two acting credits now. If anyone knows where I can find it or knows what im talking about id appreciate it. Is there any other references between the two movies i know it probably wasnt supposed to be but was the brick intentional? I watched milk and serial before the movie and I loved it, I enjoyed both movies a lot.

I just gotta say, I’ve been rewatching the Tremors Kill Counts and Zoran has honestly made me love that franchise and really appreciate it for the ridiculous gem that it is. I had only seen 1, but his KC for that film actually convinced me to go watch 2 and I had a blast! He hit the perfect stride of doing bits in the way he likes to do and his enthusiasm was so evident. I might say screw it and watch all of them. And I absolutely appreciate all the Ghostbusters jokes I’m seeing in recent videos because I have a feeling that’s thanks to him! Thanks for brightening my week, Zoran!

This film is my new obsession.