OBSESSION -- A New Horror Obsession

Review by Chadd Clubine

2026 is already shaping up to be a strong year for horror, but May in particular is looking like a standout month for the genre. Kicking things off with Hokum, nearly every week in May brings another major horror release, all leading up to Backrooms at the end of the month. Right in the middle of that lineup is Obsession, a new horror film that absolutely shouldn’t go unnoticed. With both critics and audiences praising it, this is quickly becoming one of the must-watch horror movies of the year. After seeing it, Obsession is destined to become a modern horror classic.

Writer and director Curry Barker first built a following through YouTube, where his work has steadily gained attention over the years. If you aren’t familiar with his name yet, this film is going to change that. Even if Obsession wasn’t initially on your radar, the growing word of mouth surrounding it will be impossible to ignore for long. What Barker accomplishes here is genuinely extraordinary. The film is just as uncomfortable as it is terrifying, constantly keeping viewers on edge. Barker repeatedly subverts expectations in ways that not only enhance the horror, but also deepen the film’s thematic storytelling in a meaningful way.

What makes the film even more impressive is Barker’s ability to craft a story that resonates from multiple perspectives. While the narrative does explore the male point of view, it never blindly validates it. Instead, Barker highlights the flaws and insecurities within that perspective, allowing audiences — especially female viewers — to connect with the story in their own ways. The online discourse surrounding the film already reflects just how many interpretations viewers are taking away from it. None of these characters are particularly likable, yet they all feel deeply human. Just when you find yourself relating to someone, the film forces you to reevaluate that connection through the disturbing choices these characters ultimately make.

Michael Johnston may be the film’s lead, but Inde Navarrette is undoubtedly its breakout star. Johnston delivers a layered performance as a deeply flawed character, grounding the film in a way that makes its story and themes truly work. Without his performance, the emotional core of the film would fall apart. However, Navarrette is the one who elevates the movie into something unforgettable. She taps into something completely unhinged and emotionally raw, reminiscent of the intensity Naomi Scott brought to Smile 2. Navarrette fully commits to the role, delivering a performance that deserves to be remembered as one of the year’s very best. She completely disappears into the character, and it’s hard to imagine this film not becoming a major turning point in her career. Unfortunately, like many standout horror performances, it’s unlikely to receive the serious awards recognition it deserves — a frustrating reality for the genre that still hasn’t fully changed. 

The film is just as darkly funny as it is horrifying. Much of the humor comes from sheer disbelief that the movie is willing to go as far as it does in certain scenes. The shocks are outrageous at times, yet they never feel cheap because the film fully earns them through its storytelling and character work. It can be frustrating watching Michael Johnston’s character make certain choices, but the way he continually forgives Inde Navarrette’s character adds another layer to the film’s themes and emotional complexity. Just when it feels like the story has reached a natural stopping point for these characters, the film pushes even further into darkness, culminating in a finale that lands on a haunting note and lingers long after the credits roll.

Overall, Obsession fully lives up to the hype, delivering not only one of the strongest films of the year so far, but potentially a future horror classic. The performances are consistently strong across the board, with the entire cast bringing weight and authenticity to the material. Still, it’s Inde Navarrette who delivers the standout performance, anchoring the film in a way that will likely define her as one of the year’s best. Thematically, writer-director Curry Barker crafts a story that lingers well beyond its runtime. It’s the kind of film that doesn’t just end—it settles in, slowly revealing new layers the more you sit with it, leaving you reflecting on its ideas the more you think about it.

Obsession releases in theaters May 15th!

RATING: 4.5/5