Everyone wants to be loved, but what happens when the wrong type of love becomes more terrifying than being alone.
Obsession debuted in theaters on May 15 and has gained significant popularity on social media platforms as well as major movie rating websites, such as Rotten Tomatoes, where it received an excellent rating of 96%, solidifying its claim to being the highest rated movie in 2026 so far.
Curry Barker, the director of this new horror hit, is an American filmmaker, actor and comedian who originally rose to fame for his YouTube sketch-comedy duo with his partner, Cooper Tomlinson, called That’s a Bad Idea.
While Barker’s background may seem unusual, his experience in making creator-driven content helps make the film’s relationships more realistic and relatable.
The movie stars Michael Johnston, who plays Bear Bailey and Inde Navarrette, who plays Nikki Freeman. Despite not being widely recognized actors before the film’s release, Johnston and Navarrette delivered bone-chilling performances that significantly contributed to the movie’s unsettling tone and success.
From the beginning of the film, Johnston does an outstanding job of portraying Bailey as a relatable yet frustrating character. Bear is in love with his good friend Nikki, but he very clearly has a lack of confidence in himself, which is a driving factor for many of the questionable decisions he makes throughout the film.
Instead of Bear’s actions being annoying or disappointing, Johnston depicts the character in a way that makes it very clear that his decisions stem from his desperation and insecurity rather than just selfishness. Johnston’s heartfelt portrayal of Bear allows the audience to understand and relate to the character better instead of hating him.
To accompany Johnston’s performance, Navaratte brings a powerful yet unsettling presence to the role of Nikki. She perfectly captures the character’s creepy transformation throughout the film. What begins as a warm, openhearted friend gradually shifts into a volatile soul, leaving every interaction between the characters tense and creating a sense of unease.
What makes Obsession really stand out is its ability to create fear and discomfort through the mood instead of relying solely on jump scares. Specific choices in music and lighting also helped to amplify the tension in the events.
The chemistry between the two leads keeps the story stressful and compelling, while the film’s main concept allows it to explore themes of unhealthy attachment and the dangers of placing your desires over the laws of nature.
Combined with the strong performances from Johnston and Navarrette and the growing popularity online and in theaters, this film has become one of the most talked-about releases of the year.
