Obsession Review
In the year of horror films dominating, Obsession is the pinnacle.
Directed by Curry Barker, the film stars Michael Johnston as Bear and Inde Navarette as Nikki. The pair play friends and colleagues in unrequited love. Bear, who is shy and awkward, is in love with Nikki but can’t seem to tell her, that is until he buys a One Wish Willow. What Bear believes to be a silly gag gift, turns out to be his worst nightmare, when he wishes for Nikki to “love him more than anyone else in the world”…and it comes true. What ensues is a tumultuous rollercoaster of obsession, dependancy and downright disturbing attempts at love.
At only 26 years old, Barker has made one of the best horror films in recent years. It is clear that he has a real passion for the genre and more than that, a deep knowledge and understanding of what it is that makes horror movies succeed. There is such attention to detail in every scene, from the theme of the One Wish Willow changing slightly every time you hear it (almost so subtly you barely notice), Nikki having an uncanny valley, marionette quality to her movement that makes you feel very unsettled, and the camera work being simple, still and completely unnerving. It builds tension like no horror movie I have ever seen before and never once does it rely on a cheap jump scare, instead it carefully picks it’s times for a jump scare and always leaves you waiting long passed when you expect it.
The performances are next to none. Inde Navarette absolutely shines in her first horror role and has already earned herself a spot in the scream girl hall of fame. It is clear how much work and dedication went in to her performance and how carefully crafted it was. When the film begins, Nikki is the sweet, caring, girl next door type and as soon as that One Wish Willow snaps, something in her changes. At times, it was loud and abrasive and she was screaming her lungs out in Bears face, and then suddenly she was standing quietly in the corner of the room, eyes shining a little too brightly. Throughout the movie, I was both captivated by her performance and deeply disturbed.
Michael Johnston as Bear was awkward, sweet, submissive, a strange combination that made you like him but also want to shake some sense into him. What was really interesting what how much he continued to care for Nikki, even when things became increasingly insane. The background feeling of guilt and regret he had gave the subtext of the film that extra layer.
Not only were the direction and performances brilliant, but aesthetically it was beautiful. It has a real indie film feel about it with the muted colours, grain and simple shots but it all worked really well alongside the small cast of young people and the 90’s vibe around it (although the time is never specified).
Don’t get me wrong, I left this movie feeling a bit gross and wanting never to see it again…but is that not exactly how a horror movie should leave you feeling?