Film 2483 - Obsession

Intro: Still pretty much obsessed. One last time.

Film 2483: "Obsession" (2025), Curry Barker
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Steven
Thoughts: For a moment there, it felt like I was only going to the movies to watch "Obsession" and, yeah, it was kinda like that.
On my third watch, I have to admit that I still enjoyed this movie quite a lot. It didn't matter that I knew all the scary bits and where the story would go; this film felt fresh every time I watched it, which is an accomplishment in itself.
Pair that with an astonishing box office performance ($475 million worldwide on a budget of $750,000), Curry Barker's filmmaking career skyrocketing, and Inde Navarrette's and Michael Johnston's performances putting them on Hollywood's radar... You can't deny that "Obsession" is the movie surprise of the year.
Obviously I'm a huge horror film fan, so this movie was clearly my cup of tea to begin with, but the success behind this piece of media doesn't just rely on horror fans. The script is genius precisely because it isn't overly complicated compared to other similar outings in the genre: there's an enchanted object, a wish that leads to a curse, and protagonists who have to deal with the consequences. It's that simple, yet so effective. And the nuances this story presents are quite interesting and disturbing, possibly more so than the horror element itself: Nikki (Navarrette) is stripped of her agency and forced into a romantic relationship whether she likes it or not. Bear (Johnston) is shy and timid at the beginning, only to reveal his true colors as the story progresses and the abuse escalates. And he's not willing to stop. If anything, he's resentful that Nikki still won't love him back. It's tragic and terrifying at the same time.
So yeah, I do love this film. I think it's a great example of the heights the horror genre can reach when it's done right and, right now, "Obsession" is still my favourite movie of 2026.
Film 2472 - Obsession
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Film 2483 - Obsession
Cast: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy Richter.
Box Office: $475 million
Worth a watch?: There is already Oscar buzz for this one, particularly for the Best Actress and Screenplay categories. Will these predictions come to fruition? It's way too early to say, but as the current movie landscape stands, there's clearly a chance (especially after last year's Best Supporting Actress Oscar win for "Weapons"). In the meantime, if for whatever crazy reason you still haven't seen "Obsession", do yourself a favour and go see it. I rest my case.
Awards: /
Key word: Cat.
Trailer
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Bengi

Film 2478 - Obsession

Intro: On Niamh's birthday we went out for lunch to celebrate her. After that, on the bus to town, Debbi was saying that she wanted to go to the movies, and she expressed disappointment because Niamh and I had already gone to see this movie without telling her. So - as the good person that I am - I went back with her.

Film 2478: "Obsession" (2025), Curry Barker
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Debbi
Thoughts: Obsessed with "Obsession" #2.
It's no mystery I liked this movie a lot the first time around... and this time even more. I think mainly because I was able to focus on details I either didn't notice or register the last time. Knowing what to expect, and where and when the scary bits are, I was able to sit back and really pay attention to the rest of the story and characters.
One thing that felt different from the get-go was my perception of the main protagonist, Bear. When you watch this film for the first time, it's impossible not to feel sorry for him: you can tell he's lonely, shy as hell, and you can sympathise with him because we've all been in love with, or been taken by, someone who doesn't feel the same way. Reality is, though, Bear is a little piece of shit, something you only realise as you watch the story unfold. This time around, the minute I saw his face on the screen, this sense of hatred and disgust came up and I couldn't shake it for the entire film. So yeah, I guess I'm a huge fan of the movie, its main actor Michael Johnston, and a big, big hater of its main protagonist. On the other hand, it was great to rewatch "Obsession" and focus even more on Inde Navarrette's performance, especially now that it's become even more culturally relevant.

She does indeed steal the whole show here; hers is undeniably the performance that stays with you after you leave the cinema. And yes, of course it's because of what happens to her character, Nikki, but mainly because Navarrette's emotional and, at the same time, terrifying portrayal is a rollercoaster of feelings that's hard to shake. Nikki is trapped in her own body, her free will taken away from her (by a man, nonetheless), her whole life now revolving around Bear - who's only happy when Nikki behaves the way he expects her to - and the only desire of what's left of the real Nikki is to die. 

In the hands of a less capable actress, the portrayal of Nikki could have been disastrous, felt caricaturesque, or even undermined her story arc. So not only did Navarrette rise to the occasion and deliver an iconic performance, she also showed Hollywood the talented actress she is (and the industry took notice: "Obsession’s Inde Navarrette Met With MCU ‘X-Men’ Director").
All in all, this second watch solidified my love (and obsession) for Curry Barker's "Obsession" even more. Like last year with "Weapons", 2026 has another horror movie sitting atop my personal Movies of the Year list. There's still a while to go before this year ends, so who knows what film will actually claim the top spot, but so far this is the story that surprised me the most: terrifying on both an emotional and visual level, sad and creepy, with a great example of genius screenwriting.
Film 2472 - Obsession
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Cast: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy Richter.
Box Office: $427 million (as of today)
Worth a watch?: An amazing horror experience able to deliver scares and twists while also managing to be emotionally disturbing in a way few other films in the genre are capable of. It is the movie surprise of the summer, the horror sensation of the year, and a piece of current pop culture that shouldn't be missed. Creative and unsettling, if you love horror films then this one's for you.
Awards: /
Key word: Necklace.
Trailer
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Bengi

Film 2472 - Obsession

Intro: I've seen this movie three times already since it came out a little more than a month ago. Some might say I am... obsessed.

Film 2472: "Obsession" (2025), Curry Barker
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh
Thoughts: I don't think I realized how much I liked this movie the first time I watched it. I mean, it was clear that I liked it, but to be willing to go back an additional two times—and, on top of that, always finding new details and things to appreciate and enjoy—that is definitely a testament to how good this movie is. And I think it's even more remarkable when you factor in that "Obsession" is a horror movie and, usually, once you know the plot and the horrific secret/monster/mystery is revealed, part of the novelty and thrill of the story is gone forever.
It's clear that I'm not the only one who liked Curry Barker's film: $370 million made so far (over a budget of $750,000), many records broken (from Wikipedia: In its third weekend, the film made $27.4 million, becoming the first wide release outside of the Christmas season since E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) to increase its earnings for three consecutive weekends), the One Wish Willow merchandise and, as it happens when movies perform better than expected and connect with audiences, an extremely early potential Oscar campaign (that Focus Features seems to have confirmed). But is the movie really worth all the buzz that it has generated so far?
My personal opinion aside, I think "Obsession" is an incredibly clever movie. Unlike many other horror outings, this one actually presents a solid screenplay with an ending that not only makes perfect sense and surprises with a twist, but also wraps the story in a full-circle moment that is both satisfying and terrifying to watch. Considering there is nothing worse than a horror movie with a bad ending, "Obsession" feels even more refreshing because of this.
Additionally, both lead performances are great. Michael Johnston has the difficult task of portraying Bear, a shy and nerdy guy who has been secretly in love with his friend and co-worker Nikki. At the beginning he seems so nice and you really root for him; you feel sad for what happens to him and what he's going through. I guess everyone can identify with his experience in some capacity: we've all felt lonely, lost someone, or fallen in love with a person who didn't reciprocate our feelings. That said, it doesn't take much time before we realize how shitty of a person Bear is: his bruised ego makes him selfish and deaf to Nikki's cries for help (or mercy). There's really no other way to put it: he's a gigantic piece of shit.
Opposite him, Nikki (played by Inde Navarrette in a breakthrough performance) is, at the beginning of the story, ready to move on with her life, quit her job, and focus on her passion for writing, looking to fall in love with life again. This is obviously cut short by Bear's actions: imprisoned by the One Wish Willow curse, she'll turn into Bear's perfect girlfriend for a while, until things gradually take a crazy turn. Nikki's overall story arc and extremely sad and disturbing fate are perfectly portrayed by Navarrette's hypnotic performance. She's mesmerizing and clearly the star of the movie, and rightfully so. Her character's journey is terrifying, to say the least: trapped in a body that isn't hers anymore, forced to please her jailor in every possible way—mentally and physically—and unable to escape her fate. She's basically turned into an object, stripped of everything that made Nikki herself: her future and her will. I know this is just fiction, but it's scary when you think about it and reflect a bit deeper on this movie's plot and themes. And I do think it's relevant that the character who goes through this journey is the female one: dehumanized, objectified, and sexualized. In this political climate, I cannot help but wonder if Nikki's fate is just an extremified take on the female experience. But I digress.
Navarrette's portrayal is powerful and extremely physical, sometimes so hard to watch that you have to look away. But at the same time, so many iconic moments belong to her Nikki, and I think partly this is where the power of this movie lies: its story is simple and scary, the performances are good, and there are so many memeable moments. Go on TikTok and look for "Obsession" content and see it for yourself.
All in all, Curry Barker's film was such an amazing surprise. It's no secret I love horror films and I feel blessed with the amount of good content we've gotten lately: we've been spoiled with "The Substance", "Weapons", "Sinners", "28 Years Later", "Final Destination: Bloodlines" and "Send Help". With newcomers like this one and "Backrooms", the horror genre seems to find itself in a moment of cultural resurgence and relevance thanks to new, good stories and possibly the current need for escapism and entertainment. And "Obsession" rightfully takes its place in the zeitgeist of it all: it's a crazy, terrifying ride thanks to a smart script and a simple idea behind it all. That once again proves that you don't need a stellar budget and the biggest names in Hollywood to bring people to the theaters: the right ingredients will do that for you.
Film 2472 - Obsession
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Cast: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy Richter.
Box Office: $370 million (as of now)
Worth a watch?: Horror movies are not for everyone, for sure, but if you do enjoy them, this is one for the ages. So far, my favourite movie that I've watched this year.
Awards: /
Key word: One wish.
Trailer
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Bengi

Film 2398 - Flow

Intro: I forgot to include this movie in my list of movies to review and I'm including it now!

Film 2398: "Flow" (2024), Gints Zilbalodis
Watched: On the laptop
Language: /
Watched with: No one
Thoughts: The experience of watching this movie is a very interesting one for me.
Back in February, I decided to give it a go on a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote, Spain. I wanted something nice and easy to watch on the 4 hour Ryanair journey, something to keep me company, but also wouldn't require too much brain power. And because we were really, REALLY deep into Oscar season, it only made sense to watch one of the nominees. And, to be honest, it was the best decision.
One thing I have to say beforehand is that the journey to Spain was insane. Turblence would get so bad at moments that it would be impossible to hold my laptop on my lap. Considering my second most irrational fear is dying in a plane crash, it's fair to say that it wasn't a pleasant experience. But watching "Flow" definitely helped.
One thing I didn't expect is the complete lack of dialogue. No human interactions - although humans are definitely part of this world considering the amount of man-made items present - just a cat on his journey to... I'm still not sure.
It's a very fascinating movie, it feels kind of magical at times and the story just progresses at its own pace, while the sea level (I guess?) is rising and our cat protagonist is trying to escape it.
There are a lot of wonderful shots in this movie, a lot of creative vision and an aesthetic that is simple, yet extremely effective. All of this, wrapped in a soundtrack that absolutely complements the end result.
I didn't know what to expect when I started this journey - both the cat's from the movie and mine on the plane - but I sure did enjoy it.
Cast: /
Box Office: €50 million
Worth a watch?: Definitely. It's an interesting movie and story, well crafted - amid a fairly low budget of €3.5 million - and executed. The absence of dialogue forces you to carefully follow the story, you can't get distracted or you'll miss some detail of the story. It's unusual and it takes a second to get used to it, but it's also so calming at times to just listen to the wind or the sound of the surroundings. Not to mention that there is definitely a very contemporary message being carried by the story: climate change and its effects on the planet.
Awards: Nominated for 2 Oscars for Best International Feature Film and Best Animated Feature Film, it won the latter. 2 BAFTAs nominations (Best Animated Feature Film and Best Children's & Family Film) and 1 Golden Globe win for Best Motion Picture - Animated. The movie also won the César for Best Animated Film and was in competition for the Un Certain Regard Award at Cannes 2024.
Key word: .
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Bengi

Film 2342 - A Quiet Place: Day One

Intro: Back from a month-and-a-half long vacation in Brazil, I finally met my cousin Francesca in Bologna and, after celebrating Boxing Day with our families, we drove all the way to Igea marina where she lives. There, exahusted, we decided to watch a movie. A very quiet one...

Film 2342: "A Quiet Place: Day One" (2024), Michael Sarnoski
Watched on: From the TV
Language: English
Watched with: Fre
Thoughts: I enjoy the "A Quiet Place" franchise, but I'm not a fan. I watched all the movies, yes, but I never felt the urge to re-watch them, for example. With that in mind, I decided it was time to give this new oting a go, since it was successful and, I remember, well liked by critics and viewers alike.
"A Quiet Place: Day One" is a well crafted, entertaining movie, similar enough to the previous two chapters of this sage, yet different enough to captivate its new audience. Which is obviously a smart move.
What was even smarter, though, was casting Lupita Nyong'o in the lead role: not only she's a great actress, but also a great horror actress as she proved already in Jordan Peele's "Us". Although her character isn't the easiest one to root for, Nyong'o's talent is undeniable and shines once again in this movie.
Other supporting performances by Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff and Djimon Hounsou are perfectly fine and serve the movie well, especially considering this is the closest it gets to a modern silent movie, so being able to actually act is essential.
An overall well made movie, especially considering it's a prequel, but also serves as a spin-off and it's the third outing of the series. I'm surprised it didn't get an Oscar nomination in the Best Sound category, but I guess it was hard to beat "Emila Pérez"...
Cast: Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou.
Box Office: $261.8 million
Worth a watch?: Definitely a good horror movie, unique in its genre as there's barely any dialogue and the story is carried by the actors' performances (which are good). If you enjoyed the previous two movies, then this one can't be missed.
Awards: /
Key word: Pizza.
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Bengi