Obsession (2026)

Obsession (2026)

An absolutely record shattering feat of filmmaking- grossing over $161 million so far with just a $750k budget.

Laura’s Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Plot: Bear (Johnston) wants to ask out his friend and crush Nikki (Navarette) but chickens out. In frustration, he wishes that she loved him more than anyone else in the world. And now he has his wish, including consequences he could never imagine.

Analysis: The premise is so incredibly simple: a wish gone wrong. Yet the movie feels new and fresh, likely thanks in part to its young cast and director (he’s 26). Lead actress Inde Navarrette was amazing and is the heart and soul of the movie. Michael Johnston perfectly portrays the “nice guy” that gets in over his head (and maybe isn’t so nice!).

The movie is intense and actually pretty scary, with one of the most effective jump scares I’ve personally experienced. I really needed to process everything for a bit. 

There is so much to unpack here: the concept of the overbearing and whiny girlfriend, guys being unable to express their feelings and making fun of a girl they like, the version of someone else that exists in our mind, female agency in relationships, the stereotype of nice guys finishing last. I could keep going.

Here is my key takeaway boiled down into one sentence: some people are so afraid of the risk and effort it takes to establish a relationship that they would rather take a shortcut which prevents real intimacy by eliminating the agency of the other person. 

Obsession is a good movie. Go see it, but be ready for a wild ride.