Writer-Director Curry Barker won many horror fans over with his previous film, Milk & Serial. So, it makes sense that the lines were ridiculously long for each showing of his new movie, Obsession, at TIFF this year. Luckily, the movie was worth the wait. The filmmaker’s twisted sense of humor and examination of young men who take things too far made for a near-perfect Midnight Madness experience.
Make a Wish…
Obsession sees Barker return with a bigger budget, larger cast, and even bloodier kills. The film introduces us to Bear (Michael Johnston) and his small group of friends, who also happen to work together. Bear has an unrequited crush on one of his pals, Nikki (Inde Navarrette). So, when he gets his hands on an item that grants wishes, he wishes for her to love him more than anything in the world. As horror fans, we all know that’s going to backfire because this premise is possibly older than the genre itself. However, Barker puts it through a bloody piss-soaked nightmare filter that makes it more fun than it should be.
As Nikki becomes obsessed with Bear and their friends begin to grow concerned, he realizes some things are too good to be true. Interestingly enough, as Nikki’s affection escalates, she becomes a terrifying version of herself. A version that Bear realizes he is frightened of, as she might accidentally kill him, or any of their women friends who get too close to him. This leads to some interesting moments like when the real Nikki occasionally breaks through and asks Bear to kill her. He refuses and instead takes it as a slight that she would rather be dead than be with him. Even when she points out that she is not actually with him. This definitely taps into the conversation about bodily autonomy that most of these types of wishful stories skate by. Bear’s wish gets him access to her body, but it is clearly not enthusiastic consent.
It’s Not Love, Actually
This deflates the hopeless romantic idea that most movies paint for male characters who cross various points of no return. How many 80s comedies were spun as romantic when the characters were actually harassing and, in some cases, stalking the object of their supposed affection? It also taps into this idealized version of the “perfect” girlfriend. Social media is littered with men who have clearly never spoken to a woman but have these weird ideas of how their future partners should dress, speak, etc. I take solace in these trolls dying alone. However, these conversations highlight one of the many ways the patriarchy leads to brain rot. Much like Milk & Serial, Obsession on the surface feels aimed at college dudebros, but it is actually a lowkey investigation of the scariest types of guys who hide in plain sight.
Barker’s script allows Navarrette to have a lot of fun playing a person compelled to do things she would not normally do. She gets some laughs and gasps while also reminding us she is a prisoner in her own body. Which again feels very of today if you are a person with ovaries watching Republicans who don’t understand science snatch away rights. However, I digress. The supporting characters also help find extra laughs in this situation while escalating matters in surprising ways. Both Sarah (Megan Lawless) and Ian (Cooper Tomlinson) shed light on why Nikki and Bear are a weird pairing, and both serve as fun complications. They also know Nikki better than Bear, which pokes holes in his idealized version of her, preventing him from seeing the real her.
Am I Obsessed?
Obsession is a fun and bloody film that is hard to forget. On the way out of the TIFF press and industry screening, a guy said, “That was better than Together,” and his friends gave him shit for it. I thought it was bold, but I kept my mouth shut. However, after sleeping on it, I agree with that rando. Both movies are good, and both have two people who should not be together at the forefront embarking on chaotic journeys. Yet, Obsession is more fun and offers more to chew on.