Obsession is a 2025 American supernatural psychological horror film written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker in his theatrical debut. The film follows Bear (played by Michael Johnston), a music store employee who buys a supernatural toy that grants him his wish for his friend Nikki (played by Inde Navarrette) to fall in love with him, resulting in horrifying consequences. Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter also appear in supporting roles.
Obsession premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2025, as part of its Midnight Madness section. It had a theatrical release in the United States on May 15, 2026, by Focus Features. The film received positive reviews and has grossed $151 million worldwide.
Plot
Baron "Bear" Bailey has romantic feelings for his friend Nikki Freeman, both of whom work with their friends, Ian and Sarah, at a music store. He returns home to find his cat, Sandy, has died after accidentally consuming oxycodone. Bear shops for a gift for Nikki at an occult shop, and buys her a "One Wish Willow", a novelty toy that claims to grant one wish per person when broken. Later that night, Nikki directly asks Bear if he likes her, which Bear denies nervously. Frustrated with himself, Bear breaks the One Wish Willow, wishing for Nikki to love him more than anyone in the world. Nikki asks to sleep at Bear's house, confiding that her estranged father is dying of cancer. While in bed, she kisses him, but abruptly screams and pulls back.
The next morning, Nikki creates a memorial with the remains of Bear's cat, disturbing Bear. That same night, she explains her erratic behavior was a result of taking MDMA and admits her feelings for him. Nikki and Bear start happily dating. Ian later informs Bear that Nikki told Sarah she saw Bear as her "little brother" shortly before they began dating, and that she lied about her father's cancer. That night, Bear wakes up to see Nikki watching him sleep, and she accuses him of not reciprocating her love. The next morning, he is horrified to discover that Nikki has made him a sandwich using Sandy's remains.
Ian accuses Bear of using Nikki, stating that her behavior has radically changed. Bear calls One Wish Willow's customer support to alter his wish. The voice on the other end says the wish will only expire when Bear or Nikki dies, then puts a hysterically screaming Nikki on the line. Nikki accompanies Bear to a party at Ian's house that night, despite the latter's protests. During a game of drunk Jenga, Nikki recites a violent, incestuous retelling of Hansel and Gretel. Bear then draws a block daring him to kiss the person to his left, which is Sarah. Nikki ousts Sarah from her seat and kisses Bear instead. Nikki then starts screaming before stabbing her own face with a broken bottle. Later that night, Nikki threatens suicide to make Bear join her in bed. Sarah texts Bear to meet at the park and talk. While Bear attempts to leave, a lucid Nikki awakens, claiming that her obsessive persona is asleep, and begs Bear to kill her, but he refuses, offended that she would rather die than be with him. Sarah reveals to Bear that Ian and Nikki had been hooking up casually for two years and is concerned that Nikki is using him to get back at Ian. After Sarah hints at her own attraction to Bear, Nikki suddenly appears and murders her by repeatedly slamming her head into a brick. Nikki instructs a traumatized Bear to return home while she disposes of the body.
