In horror, ghosts and ghouls are often the go-to choice for a movie’s villain. But, now and then, a talented filmmaker comes along to create a spine-chilling story haunted by something gentle. Written and directed by Curry Barker, Obsession is an incredible display of horror that surges with energy from start to finish. Avoiding the paranormal, this is a fantastic film that excels in every way.

After wishing for his crush’s love, a young man discovers that his desires come at a dark and sinister price. The film is led by Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette. The supporting cast includes Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless and Andy Richter.

Obsession is, in a word, sublime. It is the kind of movie that captures the strengths of modern horror while still carving its own path. Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette offer powerhouse performances that underpin the story’s terrifying scenario. Johnston works incredibly well as a young man whose intentions are not always pure, and Navarrette is, without spoiling much, amazing in every scene.

Many of the scares in this picture stem from the inherent awkwardness of the character’s actions. In this regard, there is a lot of unsettling humour. Thankfully, these jokes never take away from the horror as the surging reality of the situation propels the narrative to an ending that is hard to laugh at.

Dripping in a dreamlike quality thanks to Taylor Clemons enchanting cinematography and Rock Burwell’s spellbinding score, the film exists in a plane of reality which is familiar yet uncanny. Curry Barker’s direction plays into this approach effectively by knowing when to let stillness speak in contrast with character movements that are sudden and startling.

Obsession is already one of the best films of 2026 and is a must-watch for any horror fan. With this movie, Barker has exploded onto the cinema scene as a director who will hopefully go from strength to strength.