Blumhouse’s New Horror Movie Obsession Has Audiences Screaming

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is bringing screams back to theaters.

Blumhouse’s newest horror film, directed by Curry Barker, flips the classic warning “be careful what you wish for” on its head. The movie centers around Bear (Michael Johnston), who secretly loves Nikki (Inde Navarette) and decides to take a chance. He purchases a “One Wish Willow” hoping it will make Nikki fall for him, and shockingly, it works – but not as he expected. Nikki’s feelings become intensely passionate, quickly becoming overwhelming for Bear.

Ash Crossan from ScreenRant interviewed the movie’s director and stars, Johnston and Navarette, to discuss what makes the film so frightening and unique compared to other horror movies.

Obsession Has Audiences Screaming, Jumping Out Of Their Seats

Initial screenings of the film have really scared audiences, with people screaming and jumping during the most frightening and graphic parts – even the director, Navarette, admitted to covering her eyes. Director Barker is thrilled with this reaction, and ScreenRant reports he’s even witnessed audiences applauding after the movie ends.

Inde Navarrette: When you see grown men jumping.

Curry Barker: Yeah.

Inde Navarrette: Screaming.

Curry Barker: Or when they clap at the end.

Michael Johnston: Oh yeah, the clap.

Johnston also pointed out the film’s visual style, which really draws viewers in. He emphasized that Obsession is best experienced on the big screen.

Honestly, I’m really looking forward to seeing this movie in a proper cinema – one with popcorn! It’s been a while since I’ve been to a screening that actually had popcorn, and I’m hoping this time will be different. I’d love to enjoy it with a big bucket!

But I have a feeling it’s going to be flying. This is a movie you have to see in the theater.

The audience reactions are so intense, according to Johnston, that it’s often difficult to hear the movie itself. Navarette, who also stars in Superman & Lois, explained that she focused on expressing the movie’s scariest scenes through her facial expressions, particularly her eyes.

You know, one of the first things we really focused on was the smile – but not just any smile. We tried a bunch of variations, and eventually landed on one where the eyes were wide open. I really wanted the audience to see what was happening in those eyes, because, cliché as it sounds, they really are the windows to the soul. It’s unsettling to see a smile combined with something…off, like paint, and that discomfort was intentional. We had a lot of freedom to experiment, which was great. But seeing it all come together – the smile, the music, the building tension, and knowing what happened before – that was something else. I saw it for the first time at TIFF, and honestly, it completely floored me. It was a truly gut-wrenching experience.

What Sets Obsession Apart From Other Horror Films

What makes Obsession stand out from other horror movies—and even within the large collection of Blumhouse films—is its originality. Director Curry drew inspiration not from specific films like The Invisible Man or The Twilight Zone, but from the creative approaches of their filmmakers to craft Obsession‘s terrifying narrative.

I didn’t start with a specific movie and think, ‘What if this were horror?’ There wasn’t really one, at least not that I can recall. I was more inspired by filmmakers I admire and films like ‘The Invisible Man.’ While ‘The Invisible Man’ isn’t related to the plot of my movie, it explores similar themes of relationships, and that’s what resonated with me.

The film is rooted in its narrative and the emotions it hopes to evoke, which is what initially drew scary movie enthusiast Johnston to the project.

Michael Johnston is a fan of horror films, so he was thrilled when he received the script. He especially appreciated that it wasn’t a standard scary movie. During his meeting with Curry, they quickly realized they shared a vision for a realistic and emotionally impactful film, and were aligned on the qualities they admired in their favorite movies. They immediately saw eye-to-eye.

Everything Else The Obsession Cast & Director Said About The Film

ScreenRant: I’m sure everyone’s asked you guys if you would use the One Wish Willow.

Curry Barker: Would I use it?

Inde Navarrette: Actually, we haven’t been asked that.

Michael Johnston is wondering if they would actually use it, not just want to. He’s asking what they would do if they genuinely had access to it.

Inde Navarrette: Yeah, I would use it.

ScreenRant: I would too.

Curry Barker: It’s pretty dope. Not going to lie.

Michael Johnston: I’d have to be really careful.

Curry Barker: I would have it in my room for like a year.

Michael Johnston: Exactly.

Curry Barker: And contemplate or calculate, “How am I going to say this? What am I going to do?”

ScreenRant pointed out that when making a wish, it’s important to be very specific and consider potential negative consequences. For example, wishing for a large sum of money like a billion dollars could come from a dangerous or unethical source.

Michael Johnston: If you have to launder it, what if it’s blood money?

ScreenRant: From a mob or something.

Curry Barker: Where’s that money coming from?

Inde Navarrette is pointing out that the source of something is unknown and there’s no documented history to trace it back to. They’re saying it’s originating from an unclear place.

Michael Johnston explained that the difficulty lies in actually using it, as purchases will inevitably draw attention and raise questions.

Curry Barker: The government immediately would be like, “Where’d you get that income?”

Inde Navarrette: We can learn how to money launder. I don’t think it’s that hard.

ScreenRant suggests a scenario where one person wishes for money, while another wishes for the knowledge of how to hide the source of that money, implying they would work together to do so.

Inde Navarrette: We’ll open a mattress store.

Curry Barker: Wish for $2 billion. I’ll wish for laundering.

Check out more of our Obsession coverage here:

  • Romantic Horror Movie Obsession Wants Your Love Now
  • Blumhouse’s New Critically Acclaimed Horror Movie Was Slapped With An NC-17 Rating For One Gory Scene

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2026-05-12 21:21