“Does Niki like me?”

Story: Baron/Bear is socially awkward guy hopelessly in love with his friend Nikki. But it’s obvious to everyone else that that’s a one-way street. So when he goes to a curio shop to pick up a gift for his love, he spies a silly “One Wish Willow” gag. Except it’s not a gag. And when Bear uses it himself to wish for her love? Nikki becomes down bad. Emphasis on bad.

Genre I’d put it in: Incel Horrors
Release Date: 2026
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Original, and incredible.

Gotta say: Written, directed and edited by Curry Barker, Obsession is a film that’s so good it hurts. Barker crafted one hell of a story, and his cast and crew were flawless. This should be the definition of what can happen if a Nice Guy™ gets what he wants. But Bear is definitely not a good guy. And that dichotomy will haunt you long after the credits roll. [FYI – I use Nice Guy™ as shorthand for this. I am not shitting all over genuinely nice humans who are also guys. You, genuinely nice guys? You rock.]

Barker shows that he absolutely knows what he’s doing. From the use of light and blocking to amp up the horror, to the small touches in costuming that shows the progression of Nikki’s corruption, this is a film I’ll be watching again and again, just to pick up on things I’ve missed.

As Nikki, Inde Navarrette delivers one of those performances that cements her a a talent to be reckoned with. I just hope she gets more love come awards season than Mia Goth got for Pearl. Navarrette switches from Nikki to “Nikki” and back again with a flow that any performer would envy. One nighttime scene is particularly heartbreaking, and we can barely see her. That’s impressive. Special shout-out to Megan Lawless as friend/coworker Sarah, who both has a crush on Bear, and knows Nikki better than he does. There’s a touching honestly to the character, and Lawless’ performance.

Now, for my rant that I started in the title of this review. Bear is not good. He’s a selfish person who’s only concern through everything that happens is how things are going for him. He has several opportunities to help Nikki, be a better person, or simply negate the wish one way or another. Instead, he clings to Nikki (or rather, “Nikki”), believing that he’s the one being wronged somehow. This isn’t a guy who’s a nice person. He’s the stereotypical Nice Guy™ who expects to get what he wants simply because he thinks he’s nice. And that transactional belief is part of the horror here.

Barker’s ability to drag the hideous selfishness of the incel into the harsh light of day is powerful. It burns the idea of the Nice Guy™ to the ground, and Michael Johnston does an amazing job portraying the blend of desperation and entitlement Bear feels. To misquote the ad line for the original Last House on the Left? I had to repeat to myself “He’s only an actor, only an actor, only an actor…” Seriously, it’s one hell of a performance.

If you’ve gotten this far into my review without seeing the film yet? Please go in without knowing anything else. Go now. I may just be in the theater with you. Yes, you can share my popcorn. No, I won’t make a wish for you.

#Protip: Never use magic to gain something for yourself. And especially not to try to make someone love you. That never ends well. Horror movies have been trying to tell us this for decades. Many actual witches believe that considering ethical ramifications is important in this regard. (Including my eclectic-ish kinda-witchy self.) Who wants to begin a relationship with the possibility of unethical garbage hanging overhead? Not cool people, that’s for sure. Caveat emptor, y’all.