This is a film that still doesn’t even have an official poster, yet after its screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival, it received overwhelmingly positive reviews. The top reviews on Douban are almost all glowing. The film is Obsession, a horror feature directed by newcomer Curry Barker.
The story follows a young man named Bear, who has a crush on his coworker Nikki at the record store where they both work. Their relationship has always been lukewarm at best. One day, Bear discovers a so-called “Wish Stone,” which is said to grant whatever desire is spoken to it. Half-believing and half-doubting, he makes his wish—only to find events spiraling in a terrifying direction. The wish does come true, but in a horrifying way.
So what exactly is horrifying about it? Simply put, Nikki—who originally barely paid attention to Bear—begins to develop an attachment to him. What starts as a normal romantic relationship slowly escalates into something deeply unsettling.
As a horror film, Obsession doesn’t rely heavily on jump scares. Instead, it builds tension through the twisted dynamic between the two characters. One scene in particular stands out: Nikki’s dependence has grown to an extreme level. After repeatedly begging Bear not to go to work and failing to stop him, she watches him leave. In the next shot, the camera cuts back to their room—Bear is returning home from a full day of work. It turns out Nikki has not moved an inch all day. She has been standing at the door the entire time, waiting for him to come back, wearing a grotesque grin and covered in dirt. With the lighting and sound design in that moment, it is genuinely bone-chilling.
Setting aside the supernatural premise of curses and wish-granting, I think the film also explores control and pathological dependence in relationships. Bear’s behavior, placed in real life, resembles a form of emotional manipulation—something like PUA tactics—using improper means to make someone obsess over you. This kind of dynamic can easily lead to tragic outcomes. Nikki’s obsession is not directed solely at her boyfriend; as the story progresses, the couple hardly leaves their home, their relationship essentially trapping them and isolating them from the outside world. Even when they do go out with friends once, Nikki keeps her eyes fixed entirely on Bear, ignoring everyone else. This ultimately leads to tragedy for those around them as well.
The film is reportedly set for a major worldwide release in 2026. Trust me—this is going to be next year’s breakout horror hit.
