Obsession is a 2025 American supernatural horror film written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker. The film stars a mix of new talent, with both the lead and supporting cast delivering strong performances. Obsession premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was later released theatrically in the United States before becoming available to stream on Peacock.

The film follows a music store employee who purchases a mysterious supernatural toy that has the ability to grant wishes. He makes a seemingly simple wish: that his friend Nikki will fall in love with him. But instead of getting the romance he imagined, Nikki becomes dangerously obsessed with him, setting off a disturbing chain of events that quickly spirals into tragedy.

What makes Obsession even more interesting is its unconventional beginning. The story originated as a YouTube horror sketch by comedian Curry Barker, who gained attention after uploading his short horror film The Chair to his channel in 2023. That grassroots beginning eventually grew into a full-length feature, giving the film an interesting journey from online horror content to a major theatrical release.

This movie features a lot of fresh talent, and I thought both the lead actors and supporting cast did a really good job. But for me, the standout was definitely the lead actress. So much of the film’s tension and scares come from her performance, and she brings an unsettling intensity to the character that really works.

I also loved how unrelenting, brutal, and unsettling the storytelling was. The film doesn’t constantly try to explain itself or soften the horror, and that worked in its favor. It knows exactly what kind of movie it wants to be and fully commits to it.

And let’s be honest. some of the situations become downright outrageous. There are moments where the movie stretches the bounds of plausibility, and you may find yourself thinking, “There is absolutely no way this is happening.”  But surprisingly, I didn’t mind it. The film embraces the absurdity of some of its events rather than trying to make everything feel completely realistic, and somehow, it works.

Couple of Critics Verdict: Obsession is a well-executed supernatural horror film with a strong lead performance, creative scares, and a story that isn’t afraid to get dark, brutal, or completely over-the-top. It may stretch your suspension of disbelief, but if you’re willing to go along for the ride, there’s a lot to enjoy here.