Obsession (2026) – Review | May A “Love” Like This Only Find Our Enemies

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“Obsession” Film Details

• Director(s): Curry Barker
• Writer(s): Curry Barker
• Runtime: 1 Hour(s) and 48 Minutes
• Public Release Date (In Theaters): May 15, 2026
• Genre(s): Horror, Thriller, Young Adult
• Content Rating: Rated R
• Primary Language: English
• Images © of / Courtesy Of Focus Features

Movie Summary

For years, Bear has had a crush on Nikki, but he wasn’t sure if he should say anything or where he stood. They were close in that way that blurs between best friends who are like siblings or could be a love interest if one spoke up. Bear goes to his best friend Ian for advice, and Ian isn’t sure if Bear should say anything. Sarah? She is caught up in what her next move is and has secret feelings of her own.

So, on a whim, Bear goes to a crystal shop, seeking something for Nikki, and gets this gag gift where you break a stick, make a wish, and it comes true. He wishes for Nikki to become obsessed with him, and gets more than he bargained for.

Cast and Characters

Bear (Michael Johnston)

• Character Summary: Bear works in Sarah’s family’s instrument shop, and he is a bit shy. Not painfully, to the point of it being a wallflower, but when it comes to girls, Nikki in particular, he isn’t the most experienced or suave. However, he wants to date, so he is more than willing to embarrass himself if the results are good.

Nikki (Inde Navarrette)

• Character Summary: Nikki is one of Bear’s closest friends and is his love interest. She is notably not close to her dad, not sure what the next chapter of her life is, but she knows it isn’t working for Sarah’s dad too much longer.

Ian (Cooper Tomlinson)

• Character Summary: Ian is Bear’s best friend, who can sometimes be a little hard on him. But, in his defense, Bear gets in his own way a lot.

Sarah (Megan Lawless)

• Character Summary: Sarah is an inspiring tattoo artist whose dad is her friend group’s employer.

Review and Commentary

Highlight(s)

Inde Navarette [90/100]

What Navarette does is mix in the familiar and then produce something original. The off-putting smile she does, after Bear’s wish, makes you think of the demon from Smile, how she acts when unhinged and erratic, reminds you of Mia Goth in the X trilogy, but especially Pearl. However, while you can make comparisons or see where she may have borrowed or was inspired by, this is a distinct performance.

For one, it shows range. Navarette can be that girl next door, the crush you had through high school, and play that type with ease. But she can also play someone possessed who harms themselves, and freaks you and everyone else out in ways that will unlock new irrational fears. All while jumping between the two like flipping a light switch.

But what we were really impressed by is that, beyond the almost required skillset most young actresses are expected to have, of playing a love interest or the requirements to be a new Scream Queen, you can also see Navarette as beyond the minimum standard. Be it because of how much she traveled as a teen or whatever training she has, she is able to move across genres with ease.

That is what makes this role such a breakout for her because she’ll scare you, make you fall for her character, feel something for her, and even have moments where she is outrageous and capable of making you laugh.

The Lighting [85/100]

Obsession is the type of film that doesn’t seek to scare you with constant jump scares but plays with your psyche. One prime example is that there are times Nikki stands still in the shadows, watching Bear. You may not notice her at first, but when you do, it freaks you out a little bit.

I would even say, Obsession is the rare film that makes you want to venture beyond who wrote or directed the film, or stars in it, and dive into who the cinematographer was, of which Taylor Clems is listed as the director of photography.

Sarah Having Just Enough Of Her Own Life To Be An Individual [83/100]

I’m a strong proponent of having supporting actors who exist for a reason, matter outside the orbit of the lead, and Sarah did that for me. She was the only one amongst her friends with a long-term goal, had a similar charm to Nikki, and when it comes to Bear, you admired their friendship as much, if not more than pre-obsession Nikki.

In fact, as things go left, you hope to God that Sarah survives this all because she is very easy to become attached to.

Low Point(s)

So, No One Called The Cops Or Did Anything? [66/100]

Nikki quickly loses her damn mind. Between self-harm, erratic moments, and just outright violence, you may find yourself seriously questioning how come no one called the cops? Why, when Nikki makes a scene in public, no one really says or does anything? Heck, at Bear’s apartment, are you seriously telling me the various sounds she makes, the things she does, the landlord, the police, no one got called to even do a wellness check?

I get movies ask you to suspend disbelief, but even if Obsession contains a supernatural/fantasy element, being that it is mostly rooted in reality, it was hard not to question things.

Overall

Our Rating (81/100): Positive (Worth Seeing)

Obsession doesn’t feel like a horror movie to get your fix. It’s the type that, for me, is worthy of potentially putting on a pedestal. Navarette’s performance is the type worthy of putting on “Best of” lists and this is absolutely the type of film to go see with your friends, or significant other, or recommend for them to see and have them IMMEDIATELY tell you what they think, once the credits roll.

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