The 2026 Horror Movie Everyone’s Obsessed With Uses This 124-Year-Old Story To Perfection

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The 2026 horror film Obsession is a hit with audiences, and while it feels fresh, it actually draws inspiration from a story written 124 years earlier. All creative work builds on what came before, as artists are inevitably influenced by past works. It’s especially interesting when a new story deliberately echoes an older one, and many viewers of Obsession are unaware of this connection.

Curry Barker’s horror film, Obsession, has become a surprising success. Released in May 2026 with a budget under $1 million, it’s already earned $75.5 million in theaters (before considering distribution expenses). The film’s popularity has sparked a lot of interest in how it was made and has quickly become a cultural talking point.

Obsession Was Inspired By Monkey’s Paw Stories

Curry Barker recently shared the surprising origin of his comic book, Obsession: The Simpsons. He was having friends over to watch an episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia that he appeared in, but The Simpsons was on beforehand. Specifically, it was season 3, episode 7, “Treehouse of Horror II,” and the first segment of that episode (according to Variety). This segment features Homer acquiring a cursed monkey’s paw that grants wishes, but with disastrous results. Maggie, Homer, and Bart all make wishes, only to find everything quickly spiraling out of control due to the terrible consequences.

Although a segment on The Simpsons drew inspiration from this tale, the story itself comes from W.W. Jacobs’ 1902 short story, “The Monkey’s Paw.” It centers on a couple who receive a cursed monkey’s paw from a friend who served in the British Army. They wish for $200, which they receive after their son tragically dies in an accident at work. Overcome with grief, they wish for their son to return. A knock comes at the door, and fearing the condition he might be in, the husband quickly uses his final wish, causing the knocking to cease.

Barker realized that while the idea of being careful what you wish for had been explored before, he hadn’t seen it done his way. This realization sparked the creation of Obsession. The film uses the ‘One Wish Willow’ as a stand-in for the classic ‘Monkey’s Paw’ – both serve as plot devices to examine the consequences of wishes. Just like the Monkey’s Paw, the One Wish Willow fulfills Bear’s wish, but in a terrifying manner. The majority of Obsession focuses on Bear trying to fix the situation, as he didn’t consider the potential downsides of his wish.

Though the idea of dangerous wishes is common in fantasy and horror, Clive Barker’s take on it is what truly sets this film apart. Obsession is both terrifying and surprisingly funny thanks to its complex themes. It’s not just a story about the dangers of getting what you want; it also delves into the important issue of bodily autonomy, as Bear’s selfish desire disregards Nikki’s own choices and control over her body.

Obsession’s One Wish Willow Isn’t An Exact Monkey’s Paw Substitute

While the movie Obsession draws inspiration from tales like The Monkey’s Paw, its ‘One Wish Willow’ differs significantly. Typically, in The Monkey’s Paw stories, wishes come true in terrible, unexpected ways. For example, in the original story, a wish for a small amount of money – just $200 – results in the death of the main character’s son, despite the wish seeming reasonable.

Unlike typical stories about wishes gone wrong, the One Wish from Obsession doesn’t automatically turn every desire into a disaster. When Ian wishes for a billion dollars, the money simply appears, whereas a classic “Monkey’s Paw” tale would likely involve a tragic backstory to the wealth. Although Ian’s death follows the wish, it feels like unfortunate luck rather than a consequence of supernatural forces.

So, after getting the One Wish Willow, I learned Bear ran into the shopkeeper who sold it to him. Turns out, the shopkeeper already used his wish and seemed totally okay, suggesting some wishes actually work without a catch. It really made me think – Bear’s wish was so focused on forcing Nikki to feel the same way he did, which feels super selfish. It basically took away Nikki’s own choices, and that’s where things went horribly wrong. It seems like, unlike the classic Monkey’s Paw, you can maybe manipulate a One Wish Willow if you’re careful – or, you know, just not a jerk.

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2026-05-27 17:11