Obsession Teaser Promises a Sinister, Darkly Comic Thriller

Anticipation is building as Focus Features reveals the first glimpse of 'Obsession,' a new horror-thriller set to arrive in cinemas on 15 May 2026. Directed and written by Curry Barker, known for his unsettling YouTube feature 'Milk & Serial,' this latest project explores the consequences of a wish granted under dubious circumstances. The film has already garnered a remarkable 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics lauding its blend of nightmare-inducing tension and sly humour.

Audiences are introduced to a young man who stumbles upon the 'One Wish Willow,' a mysterious object said to fulfil a single desire. He uses it to win the affection of his crush, but soon finds himself questioning the authenticity of their relationship. As doubts creep in, the situation takes a decidedly darker turn, hinting at the sinister price of tampering with fate. The official teaser offers a tantalising look at the film’s unique tone, promising both laughs and genuine scares.

Cast and Creative Team

'Obsession' boasts a cast including Michael Johnston ('My Oni Girl'), Inde Navarrette ('Superman and Lois'), Cooper Tomlinson ('Treasure Trackers'), Megan Lawless ('The Hate U Give'), and Andy Richter ('Conan'). Curry Barker, who previously helmed 'Milk & Serial' and a number of acclaimed shorts, takes on both writing and directing duties. The production is backed by Christian Mercuri, James Harris, Mark Lane, and Roman Viaris.

The film’s official synopsis reads:

After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.

Critical Reception and Festival Buzz

Though Barker’s earlier work has attracted a cult following online, critics suggest that 'Obsession' is poised to introduce him to a much wider audience. Matt Donato, writing for IGN, remarked that the film “should and will put Barker on the map as a horror filmmaker you need to watch with this addictive sour Valentine’s Day counterprogramming.”

Following its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, Geek Vibes Nation described it as “one of the biggest standouts” of the event, singling out Navarrette’s performance and Barker’s assured direction. The film’s deft balance of horror and comedy has also drawn praise, with Germain Lussier of io9 noting that it had him “laughing out loud,” while also delivering moments of genuine terror.

Dark Humour and a Memorable Finale

Alex Papaioannou of InSession Film highlighted Barker’s ability to weave together disparate elements for a striking conclusion: “With its deeply dark sense of humour, the final moments of this film will leave genre fans walking out of the theatre eagerly anticipating Barker’s next foray into genre filmmaking.”

'Obsession' runs for 108 minutes and is set for release on 6 September 2025. The ensemble cast, sharp writing, and distinctive tone have already marked it as one of the year’s most intriguing genre offerings.