When horror films break out critically, audience scores do not always follow. But according to Rotten Tomatoes, “Obsession” has managed to win over both sides of the divide with matching 95% scores from critics and verified viewers, making it the most unanimously praised genre release of 2026.
The picture, written and directed by Curry Barker, opens in theaters today through Focus Features after first premiering in the Midnight Madness section at the Toronto International Film Festival last September.
A Horror Film Built Around Romance and Obsession
At the center of “Obsession” is Bear, played by Michael Johnston, a music store employee whose feelings for childhood friend Nikki spiral into something far darker after he uses a supernatural object called the “One Wish Willow.” The wish appears simple at first. He wants Nikki, portrayed by Inde Navarrette, to love him more than anyone else. The consequences quickly become violent.
The film blends supernatural horror with psychological tension, gradually transforming a romantic fantasy into a nightmare fueled by dependency, manipulation, and physical decay. Barker reportedly drew inspiration from the famous “The Simpsons” episode involving a monkey’s paw style wish, then expanded the concept into a feature centered on emotional fixation and escalating terror.
Much of the attention surrounding the picture has focused on Navarrette’s performance, which critics singled out repeatedly following the movie’s festival debut. Her portrayal shifts between vulnerability, instability, menace, and heartbreak as Nikki becomes consumed by the wish’s effects. Johnston’s performance as Bear anchors the story from the opposite direction, portraying a character whose desperation ultimately destroys everyone around him.
The supporting cast includes Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter. Behind the scenes, Barker also handled editing duties while collaborating with cinematographer Taylor Clemons to create the film’s deliberately uncomfortable visual framing. Production designer Vivian Gray remodeled a home in Burbank, California, to serve as the primary setting for Bear’s increasingly claustrophobic world.
The movie’s path to release accelerated after its Toronto premiere, where distributor interest reportedly intensified almost immediately. Focus Features eventually secured worldwide rights in a deal said to exceed $15 million, with Universal Pictures handling international distribution in several territories.
By the time the title reached theaters, “Obsession” had already developed strong word of mouth among horror fans, a reaction now reflected in its unusually matched Rotten Tomatoes scores from critics and audiences alike.
