Every few months, a new horror movie will be released. The internet will go wild and call it “the scariest horror movie ever made”, “the horror movie of the year”, or “the most insane horror movie”. I will then go see said horror movie, and enjoy it, but remain careful about calling it the “best”. The cycle continues: another movie will be released, and that one will be crowned the best new horror film. This cycle makes it hard to trust what is truly best. However, as a diehard, lifelong horror fan, I am using my credentials to say that, yes, OBSESSION is one of the best horror films released in recent years. The best of the year, if not the decade, and perhaps even horror history in general. While it might not be the “scariest”, it is without a doubt the most well-crafted, and will stay with you long after the credits roll.
I can wholeheartedly say that I am obsessed with OBSESSION. The 2026 horror film has bewitched me, heart and soul. It was one of the best theatrical experiences I’ve ever had, not only due to the film’s content (which should 100% be viewed in a theater), but also because I was in a nearly sold-out theater. Even on opening nights, it’s so rare that I end up sitting in the second row with a packed theater behind me full of genuinely invested audience members. This experience is even rarer in a horror movie! I will always remember the feeling of the credits rolling and looking back at everyone as we all experience a collective, ‘WHAT did we just watch…?” Over the film’s hour and 49-minute runtime, my body was begging to get out of that theater, and I mean that as an absolute compliment. My heart was in my throat, and it felt like I was going to tear the skin off my body from the sheer discomfort and thrills this film gave me.
The film is the directorial debut of Curry Barker, who already has multiple projects lined up. This film is one of the absolute strongest debuts of all time and is so masterfully crafted. There are so many moments where his artistry really shines through, and that is one of the key aspects that makes this movie go from good to GREAT. There is intentional thought behind every line, beat, and directing choice. Most of the choices you will not fully understand the brilliance of until you’re sitting at home hours later and analyzing the movie in your head (and trust me, this movie will certainly not leave your mind).
OBSESSION does a wonderful job of blending genres. It is funny, horrifying, thrilling, and deeply thought-provoking. The humor came from both moments of discomfort, where you have no choice but to laugh, and legitimately funny moments of relief amid all the fear. The horror does not rely on simple jump scares, but moments that are carefully built up and become so intense that the payoff is worth it. The whole atmosphere is cold and chilling, doing a great deal of world-building. This was another moment when the outside theater world completely disappeared, and I felt as if I were a character in the film. During such a hectic time in my life, I am so elated that I was able to shut out all outside thoughts and distractions and fully immerse myself.
This movie’s success can be attributed to two aspects: Barker’s direction and Navarrette’s performance. Barker does a superb job at subverting expectations. You go into this film with a clear idea of what you expect to see, based on the synopsis. However, he takes the time to make it clear who the villains AND victims are. He constantly reinforces the power dynamics through subtle word choices that make the character’s intentions incredibly clear. If this film were made by anyone else, it simply would not have the lingering effect it does. There are so many nuances you don’t pick up on right away, which makes you want to see the film again to grasp all the brilliant decisions he’s made fully. Navarrette is the one who serves up all of these choices, and is the perfect person to present the work Barker did with his script and direction. Navarrette is in the ranks of horror legends such as Jodie Foster in SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, Toni Collette in HEREDITARY, and Kathy Bates in MISERY. She lets Nikki fully possess her, literally and figuratively. There is such a thin line between the real Nikki and the obsessed Nikki. What makes it even more chilling are the moments when we can’t fully tell whether Nikki really is this psychotic. The times when Navarrette quickly snaps back to reality to backtrack all the craziness she’s done. Johnston is also wonderful as Bear, and the messed-up “chemistry” he and Navarrette share isn’t always romantic, but it’s certainly electric.
OBSESSION does a spectacular job at comparing “lust” vs. “love.” This trope is often seen with manic pixie dream girls, where a character falls for a girl because of how she appears. These characters can be incredibly one-dimensional and exist only to serve the main character, without him ever getting to know her as a person. This ultimately proves to be Bear’s hamartia. He and Nikki are best friends, so on paper, this relationship should have a good shot of working out. But instead of putting in any effort to forge a romantic relationship with Nikki, he simply wants the quick, “ideal” version of her that he has crafted in his head. There are some great themes of consent and autonomy that Barker handles with great care and much thought.
2026 is clearly the year of sound design. Between OBSESSION and UNDERTONE, the horror industry is constantly reinventing how sound can be used and the huge role it plays in the scares. The juxtaposition of moments of silence and screams, keeping both equally terrifying, was wonderful. The lighting was also chilling, and this did not help my fear of the dark at all. The shadow work will stick with me as I try to sleep tonight.
I urge everyone to support this film in theaters with a full audience. If you are not a diehard horror fan, you will still get something out of this experience just due to how insane it is. I cannot wait to see all the other works we get from Barker and Navarrette. Though horror is often grossly underrepresented in awards season, I believe they deserve to be included in the conversation about the best performances of the year.
OBSESSION is now playing in theaters.
