I remember, years ago, I read a story where a character with mind control powers accidentally made one person fall in love with another.
The author of the story bizarrely treated this like a good thing, with it being implied the brainwashed character would come to accept their out of nowhere “love.”
Reading this sickened me because the character had a part of themselves erased and replaced with something forced upon them, and I was somehow supposed to see this as a positive thing.
When watching the latest horror hit Obsession, I was reminded of this story but surprisingly not in a bad way.
Not only does this movie treat its premise with the weight it deserves, but its main character felt like a representation of the misguided people who would write such a story.

Directed by Curry Barker, Obsession tells the story of Bear (Michael Johnston), an awkward and lonely man who has feelings for one of his best friends Nikki Freeman (Inde Navarrette).
Too scared to confess his love for her, Bear instead makes a wish using a “One Wish Willow.”
His wish?
For Nikki to love him more than anyone else in the world.
To his surprise, the wish works.
Unfortunately, the violating nature of said wish corrupts Nikki to the point that her “love” for Bear ends with a trail of bodies.

It would have been easy to make Bear a sympathetic protagonist, what with him being too timid to confess to the girl he has a crush on.
Even the making of the wish itself could be forgiven, considering he did not expect it to actually work.
However, as the film goes on, it becomes perfectly clear the titular obsession is not Nikki’s for Bear but Bear’s for Nikki.
Whether it be ignoring countless red flags, brushing off the concerns of his friends, or just outright refusing the real Nikki’s wishes, Bear reveals himself to be a selfish and cowardly character by Obsession’s end.
He would rather have the imaginary Nikki he has idealized in his mind than the real breathing woman with her own separate life from him which, again, is why he reminded me so much of the writer for that problematic story I mentioned at the beginning of this review. 

In contrast to Bear’s villainy, Nikki is the real victim of the movie, with the temporary moments when her real self breaks free from the wish being particularly heartbreaking.
That is not to say she isn’t completely terrifying when “Freaky Nikki” is in control because she absolutely is.
Inde Navarrette gives an incredible performance as Nikki in both her terrifying and sympathetic moments. 
The way she moves and is depicted with the lighting and editing is also masterful.
Director Curry Barker and cinematographer Taylor Clemons deserve all the praise in the world for how they shot this movie.
Bear’s terrified reactions to Nikki’s movements and actions reflect our own as the audience (still does not redeem him even slightly though).

Speaking of Bear and Nikki, their actors’ chemistry is practically nonexistent, which is perfect for the film.
It creates so many awkward moments, which blends well with the film’s humor and horror.
I burst out laughing and jumped in my seat many times when watching this, often within minutes of each other.
All of this built up to the adrenaline dump of an ending where all we can do in the moment is linger in the aftermath of all this chaos and wonder what happens next.

Overall, Obsession is a masterful horror film.
Its performances are incredible, it is both funny and scary, and it delivers on themes of projection, codependency and, well… obsession obviously.
I am definitely seated for Curry Barker’s next film after this one.