Affairs of the heart have always produced some of the best horror art. From the immortal Dracula to the iconic Candyman, there is nothing like love to get the blood pouring. After his short film, Milk and Serial went viral, Curry Barker was tapped to bring Blumhouse an original film. Barker both writes and directs this new feature which will attempt to bring an original plot to an age-old tale as old as time. Will Obsession cement Barker as the up-and-coming artist the horror nation has been waiting for, or will corporate film producers muzzle his creative genius?
Bear is in silent love with his childhood friend Nikki. Though close, it appears that Nikki does not share his passion for her buddy, while also about to leave town to pursue her writing career. While shopping for a trinket for Nikki, Bear comes across a novelty wishing stick, unaware that the stick carries great power. Bear uses his one wish to make Nikki fall in unconditional and complete love with him. Not long after, Nikki becomes the girlfriend from hell, not wanting anything but to be with Bear, and willing to sacrifice anything and anyone that stands in the way of their immortal union. As the days pass and Nikki’s behavior goes from obsessive to completely psychotic, Bear attempts to break the wish, which has turned into a dangerous curse before he loses everything.
Obsession is a very good, fresh film that nearly becomes an instant classic. Barker writes a plot that not only keeps the pace pushing but gives the audience great side stories that glue the entire film together. The director uses fantastic shot selection, eerie b-roll sound, and dramatic pauses to deliver a very creepy film. Inde Navarrette puts in an award-winning performance as Nikki, showing tremendous physical and emotional range. Obsession, Barker, and male lead Michael Johnston are not without fault. Barker uses high tone sound to give the viewer some great scares but goes to that well too often. While putting in a professional shift, Johnston is just entirely too weak to be believable as a heartbroken puppy dog with no bite. The possession element of the film is a fantastic part of the plot but comes too infrequently and without resolution to be thoroughly enjoyed. Blumhouse’s soft themes for horror turn the film from what could have been a hard-core classic into a good, yet oddly underwhelming final cut. The good news is that Barker has the goods to become one of the next great creators in the genre, the bad news is that while we all beg for new icons and franchises, the young star director has already signed on to once again reboot The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Let us all wish that a proper studio comes along to give this talented writer/director a long leash to put out some new lore.
Scream Score:8/10