There’s nothing quite like experiencing a boundary-pushing cult horror movie in a premium cinema setting. This week, we settled into our seats at Vue to watch Curry Barker’s viral thriller, Obsession.
With a shoestring budget of $750,000, the movie has now grossed more than $300 million in sales, making it one of the most successful releases this year. But does the film actually live up to the hype, or are people just obsessed with Inde Navarrette? We give our honest review without revealing too many secrets.
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The Premise of the Movie
Obsession follows Bear (played by Michael Johnston), who is paralysed by his inability to tell his childhood crush, Nikki (Inde Navarrette), how he truly feels. Because of this, he turns to something called the One Wish Willow. This grants him one single wish: for Nikki to love him more than anyone else in the world.
What then follows is a toxic fixation and intense affection that doesn’t line up with Bear’s original intentions. It’s not so much a paranormal or gory story as it is a psychological nightmare – one that touches on quite a few societal issues.
Our Experience at Vue Cinema
This was our first time visiting the Vue Cinema Leeds inside The Light since its transformation. Replacing the traditional blue cloth seats, the venue now features plush faux leather chairs and cushions. It’s the ideal setting to see your favourite films while getting cosy.
Even though it was a Monday, the theatre was packed full of people. This is despite the movie being out for quite a while, showing just how much of an impact it has made since its release. What was more surprising was the size of the soft drinks; you definitely get your money’s worth here.
What stood out the most, though, was the sound quality. You could hear each of Nikki’s blood-curdling screams in HD, and the jump scares certainly lived up to expectations.
What We Took from Obsession
Unlike many films in this genre where the ‘good guy’ remains this way throughout the entire showing, Obsession flips this theme. Bear goes from being an unassuming, typical 20-something-year-old with a crush to essentially a controlling character who destroyed the life of someone he once considered a friend.
You feel bad for the guy, because when do wishes come true in life? However, it’s his actions that take you on a whirlwind of emotions. At the end of the day, the true victim is Nikki. It’s a difficult watch to see her forced to act on impulses she never really possessed (or did she?).
Sources have said that the character’s name, Bear, comes from the viral ‘man vs. bear’ debate, and which one women would rather choose. It’s terrifying to know the answer in this scenario. Particularly since there is, in fact, no real choice, and it goes completely against the woman’s own will.
The director perfectly encapsulates the truth of male entitlement and relational control in a way that consistently keeps you on edge. You’re essentially waiting for a happy ending, knowing that there won’t be one. And the ending – was it really the best outcome? I guess it depends on the person.
For us, the standout scene from the film hands down had to be towards the end. Nikki and Bear are just talking inside his house when Nikki suddenly walks backwards and then runs at him. It’s only a few seconds, but so eerily creepy and confusing. You’re on edge as you have no idea what she’ll do next. Don’t even get us started on the party scene.
Inde Navarrette’s Standout Performance
Almost an unknown name prior to the film, Navarrette’s performance in Obsession is sure to set her up for a successful career in Hollywood. She’s been compared to Mia Goth’s Pearl, and it’s easy to see why. She transitions from a normal, socially outgoing girl to mentally insane within seconds. We couldn’t imagine anyone else playing this character better.
Not to mention, Inde performed the majority of the stunts herself. This included driving her head through a car window (probably the most unhinged moment in the entire film). She wore a helmet underneath a wig and managed to execute it perfectly in just one take. This was fortunate, since the crew had only one pane of glass left to film the scene.
We’re in awe at the fact that she delivered such an outstanding performance for just £20,000 for the few months of filming. It’s refreshing to see someone new on screen and so dedicated to the role. We can’t wait to see what she does next.
Our Verdict: Is Obsession Worth the Watch?
Obsession succeeds because it’s not afraid to push boundaries while tackling societal issues. It’s a harrowing and psychologically unhinged horror classic where each scene is memorable for a different reason. Curry Barker’s storyline is genius and so well executed, you’d have no idea it wasn’t a AAA Hollywood title.
- Acting: 10/10 – Each character plays a vital role, and Inde Navarrette delivers a masterclass performance. Scaring an audience isn’t easy, but these actors seem to do it flawlessly.
- Storyline: 9/10 – A stalker-like, fixated concept isn’t new by any means, but the fact that this is outside of the main character’s control makes this unique. The intense co-dependency is horrifying, and you’re unsure whether to like or dislike each character.
- Length: 10/10 – The runtime of 108 minutes is long enough to build up enough tension and introduce the characters, but tight enough that it doesn’t overstay its welcome. The movie never feels padded out, and you’re always left with some feeling of dread.
- Overall: 9.5/10 – One of the best horror films we’ve seen in years, especially amidst all the repetitive sequels of other popular titles that don’t break the mould. Obsession is a step in the right direction for the genre. Hopefully, we’ll see a shift to more independent studios producing high-quality cinema.