
Obsession
Baron "Bear" Bailey breaks a novelty charm to force his co-worker Nikki Freeman to love him, but the supernatural compulsion warps her mind into violent obsession, trapping him in a nightmare he cannot wish away.
Directed by Curry Barker · Dark Romance · Psychological Horror · Psychological Thriller · 109 min · 2026
Trailer
Director
Curry Barker
Writer
Curry Barker
Studio
Capstone Pictures, Blumhouse Productions, Tea Shop Productions
Release
May 15, 2026
Runtime
109 min
Genres
Dark Romance, Psychological Horror, Psychological Thriller, Supernatural Horror, Horror, Romance, Thriller
Country
United States
Budget
$750,000 (estimated)
Box office
$474,780,890 worldwide ($262,774,890 domestic; $17,196,855 opening weekend)
Awards
7 wins & 15 nominations total.
Full Plot
Baron "Bear" Bailey breaks a novelty charm to force his co-worker Nikki Freeman to love him, but the supernatural compulsion warps her mind into violent obsession, trapping him in a nightmare he cannot wish away.
Cast & Characters

Ian
Cooper Tomlinson

Sarah
Megan Lawless

Carter
Andy Richter

Viola
Haley Fitzgerald

Harry
Darin Toonder

Reggie
Anthony Pavone

Joe
Justice

Chris
Anthony Casabianca

Ruthie
Chloe Breen
Did You Know?
Also known as "Ám Ảnh" in Vietnamese-language markets.
Source: IMDb · verified 2026-08-02
Filmed in Los Angeles, California.
Source: IMDb · verified 2026-08-02
Critical Assessment
Obsession holds 7.9/10 on IMDb (291K votes) and a Metascore of 77 from 277 critic reviews — an unusually strong reception for a Blumhouse horror-romance on a $750K budget.
“Taking an icky conceit and twisting it to deviously crowd-pleasing ends, Obsession is dauntingly disturbing while also skillfully amusing and thrilling.” — Rotten Tomatoes (critics consensus)
A 94% Rotten Tomatoes score, a 77 Metascore, and a 7.9 IMDb average from 291K votes are unusually well-aligned for a horror release — critics and audiences agree this is one of the genre's strongest recent outings, not just a viral marketing success.
Ratings as of August 2, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
India
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedObsession's $474.8M worldwide gross on a $750,000 budget is one of the greatest ROI stories in recent horror — and unlike most micro-budget breakouts, both critics (77 Metascore) and audiences (7.9 IMDb, 291K votes) actually back it up, suggesting Curry Barker's cursed-charm premise is the rare high-concept horror hook that delivers on its promise rather than just its marketing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Obsession's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
Obsession holds a 94% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is Obsession's IMDb rating?+
Obsession has a 7.9/10 rating on IMDb from 291K votes.
What is Obsession's Metacritic score?+
Obsession has a Metascore of 77/100 on Metacritic.
Is Obsession good? What are critics saying?+
Obsession holds 7.9/10 on IMDb (291K votes) and a Metascore of 77 from 277 critic reviews — an unusually strong reception for a Blumhouse horror-romance on a $750K budget.
How long is Obsession?+
Obsession has a runtime of 109 min.
Who directed Obsession?+
Obsession was directed by Curry Barker.
Where can I watch Obsession?+
Obsession is available to stream, rent, or buy on Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Sky Store.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The public reaction to "Obsession" is largely positive, with many reviewers praising its unique concept and effective building of tension. The story's compelling characters and solid acting have also been noted as strengths. However, some critics have found the film's supernatural elements to be somewhat overused or predictable. Despite this, the movie has received widespread critical acclaim for its originality and ability to evoke a sense of dread in viewers.
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
Curry Barker has crafted something mostly special for an almost non-existent budget. The story is compelling, the acting is solid, and Obsession feels like a breath of fresh air in comparison to similar horror films. However, it’s disappointing that one shrill character trait nea…
Chris Sawin · 6/10"Bear" (Michael Johnston) has a crush on his pal "Nikki" (Inde Navarrette) but it's a love that dare not speak it's name. He hasn't the courage to even ask her out! When she decides that she has had enough of their two-horse town and wants to move away, he decides to buy her a gi…
CinemaSerf · 7/10Full Review: aisleseatreviews.com "Waking up in the middle of the night with the eerie sense that you’re being watched, only to look down and see your kid standing pitch-black next to your bed staring at you. That is the exact level of visceral dread this movie locks you into." O…
James Berry · 8/10Obsession is an supernatural phychological horror film directed by Curry Barker, a youtuber turned filmmaker and what a crazy film he had made on a budget 1 million dollars. The concept itself is so interesting but terrifying at the same time that will make you think that why and…
deepaksabat · 9/10Curry Barker’s feature debut is a flawless, deeply unsettling masterpiece that takes the classic "be careful what you wish for" trope and turns it into a relentless nightmare. The film centers on a music store employee who uses a supernatural trinket to force his longtime crush t…
Dean · 10/10Creepy and lovely. There's a movie called Smile which shares some of its constituent elements to this movie in that the creepiness of it builds over time and then becomes unimaginably violent towards the end. This movie does that quite well and it is very effective at building it…
Sierbahnn · 8/10A well-acted take on an age-old monkey paw trope. For a low-budget debut, Curry Baker has made quite a splash. However, any 'horror' here was through cheap audio cues, and the narrative will require you to do advanced gymnastics with your willing suspension of disbelief. A poor n…
bokbokwhoosh · 6/10A chilling reminder that the shortest route isn’t always the fastest; in Obsession, it becomes a deadly psychological trap where the journey ends and the traveler vanishes.🫠🤫
I know I'm supposed to say I love this movie and it's the best thing I've seen this year (cause, for some reason, it seems to be the current movie fad among White audiences) but I'm gonna be real: Obsession is a mess of a rag doll strewn up with overused clichés and age-old liter…
druscilla_of_old · 4/10Check out my full review @ https://www.manuelsbento.com/obsession-2026-inde-navarrette-gives-the-horror-performance-of-the-decade/ Rating: B+ There's a version of OBSESSION that lives up to its own hype, and the version that I watched. What bridges the gap is Inde Navarrette's le…
Manuel São Bento · 7/10Writer/director Curry Barker’s leap from YouTube viral fame to the big screen is one of the best success stories in Hollywood, and Kane Parsons’ **BACKROOMS** for A24 later this month appears to be further proof that the road from YouTube to Hollywood — while still less traveled…
There’s a fine line between genuine affection and possession, and horror movies usually thrive when crossing it. I went into *Obsession* expecting a psychological deep dive into emotional dependency, but what we actually get is an experience that violently swings between brillian…
Vinicius Monteiro · 7/10**Emotional Hijacking** Bear is a shy, introverted young man working in a music shop who is deeply and secretly in love with his friend and colleague, Nikki. Desperate over his unrequited romantic longing, Bear acquires a mysterious supernatural object called "The Weeping Willow,…
Martin Oaks · 7/10
From the trailer's comments
The way she laughs when his friend kids "did you put a spell on her lol?", makes me think she's aware of what's happening but she can't do anything about, so she's progressively going crazy
@ArianetteV2 · 19877 likesThe movie actually showed how dark and destructive it can be to force a connection with someone or try to control another person’s feelings. It was absolutely amazing.
@yaseminkaman · 18139 likesall of this could've been prevented if bro just had the courage to ask her out
@Demiurge13 · 22325 likesI can't believe it. 😮 Film cost: $750,000 Box office: $405 million
@itsoverr-b5h · 3071 likesAhh thats why the genie from Aladdin couldn't let him to wish for the manipulation of feelings. This movie looks crazy.
@RyanWard-h8f1s · 17737 likesLove how these studios are finally opening their checkbook for people who are ACTUALLY creative.
@ajburr5454 · 19812 likesPoor girl, had her free will taken away and made into a monster. It's got to be a living hell from her perspective.
@uponangelwings · 6092 likesI don't think any of us could predict how massive this film would become. It's making history and is quintessential proof that cinema isn't dead.
@owensuperbot232 · 446 likes
















