Film Review – Obsession (2025)

      Obsession, 2025.

      Written and Directed by Curry Barker.

      Featuring Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy Richter, Haley Fitzgerald, Darin Toonder, Anthony Pavone, Justice, Anthony Casabianca, and Chloe Breen.

      SYNOPSIS:

      In his quest to win over his crush, a hopeless romantic breaks the enigmatic “One Wish Willow” and gets exactly what he wished for, only to find out that some desires come with a dark and ominous cost.

      Most people have experienced a crush at some point, making writer/director Curry Barker’s Obsession a deeply relatable and horrifying cautionary tale about the risks of wishing, exemplifying the concept of “corrupt-a-wish.” In this story, Baron (Michael Johnston), a bundle of nerves lacking the self-assurance to express his feelings and check if his longtime friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette, impressively dedicated to her role with total commitment) reciprocates, resorts to buying a “wishing willow” from a store selling mystical items, including rock quartzs meant to produce specific moods. When he wishes for her to “love him more than anyone in the world," not only does the wish come true, but it also unveils the film’s title.

      It’s telling that Baron struggles to find an appropriate gift for someone he desires, leaving the shop frustrated with an absurd item that seems unlikely to work. The film's strength lies in its refusal to dwell on explanations or burdensome rules about how the wish works, focusing instead on the moral drama and the shocking, unpredictable paths the narrative takes, exploring themes of male fragility, selfishness, crippling self-doubt, autonomy, and misguided wish fulfillment.

      Another crucial point is that Baron, whom Nikki affectionately begins to refer to as Bear in her increasingly obsessed state, has little interest in confessing the truth to his friends (including Ian, played by Cooper Tomlinson, and Sarah, portrayed by Megan Lawless). This pertains not just to the existence of the wishing willow (which would be hard for anyone to believe), but also Nikki’s sudden infatuation. It’s revealed that her father might be battling cancer, potentially casting Baron in a negative light as someone exploiting a depressive moment for romantic gain. Although we see the situation from an uncomfortably humorous perspective, the implications of his desperation for making that wish reveal something about his character.

      During the honeymoon phase montage, Baron doesn’t appear frustrated (although this segment feels hurried, encompassing domestic life and consensual intimacy), but soon the romance takes a dark and unsettling turn, with Nikki creeping in the corner while he sleeps, moving erratically around the room as if possessed, and even standing at the door like a devoted dog awaiting his return from their shared job at a music store (which she has recently quit to pursue her writing aspirations).

      Don’t worry, this isn’t a spoiler; it only provides a glimpse into the obsession. With an unsettling smile—strangely more eerie than anything in the two previous films bearing that title—and a laugh that crosses into the realm of over-the-top performance, Nikki becomes both an emotional and psychological manipulator. There are certainly concerns about how Baron navigates this drastic personality shift, notably that it takes him nearly the entire film before he contemplates acquiring another wishing willow and making another wish (the outcome of which I won’t reveal). Despite his growing fear of her and the loss of personal time or privacy, there are instances where he recognizes he has his wish and still seeks to make the situation work rather than find a way to restore her to her former self.

      At times, the absence of clear rules feels like a double-edged sword, with the film nearly straying from Barker’s vision (it remains ambiguous whether this cursed wish is a common occurrence in this world or merely a magical anomaly). Nonetheless, focusing on character development and themes pays off substantially. In the end, Obsession put Baron through a gruesome yet entertaining ordeal, blending revulsion, shock, and dark humor, filled with unexpected twists and surprises. Ultimately, the film has the potential to unsettle men and prompt a reevaluation of their moral guidelines.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder