Chilling New Horror Film 'Obsession' Starring Michael Johnston & Inde Navarrette

The psychological thriller flips the script on wish-fulfillment horror, premiering at SXSW before hitting theaters.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:06am

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An extreme close-up of a shattered, glittering surface reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the unsettling themes of the new horror film 'Obsession'.The chilling new horror film 'Obsession' promises to take audiences on an unpredictable journey filled with darkness and unexpected consequences.Austin Today

Get ready to have your mind twisted—because Obsession is here to challenge everything you thought you knew about wish-fulfillment horror. The film, written and directed by Curry Barker, follows a hopeless romantic who breaks a mysterious artifact called the One Wish Willow to win over his crush, only to realize that some desires come with a price tag dipped in darkness. Starring Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette, Obsession is set to hit theaters on May 15, thanks to Focus Features and Blumhouse.

Why it matters

Obsession is already a festival darling, having premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and won the People's Choice Award at Sitges. The film's bold take on the classic Monkey's Paw trope is sparking conversations about whether it offers a refreshing twist or relies too heavily on shock value.

The details

Directed by Curry Barker, known for his work on Milk & Serial, Obsession features a talented cast that also includes Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter. The film is produced by James Harris, Haley Nicole Johnson, Christian Mercuri, and Roman Viaris, with executive producers Jason Blum, Leonora Darby, Mark Lane, David Haring, and Ruzanna Kegeyan.

  • Obsession will premiere at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas, next month.
  • The film is set to hit theaters on May 15, 2026.

The players

Curry Barker

The writer and director of Obsession, known for his work on Milk & Serial.

Michael Johnston

An actor best known for his role in Teen Wolf, starring in Obsession.

Inde Navarrette

An actress starring in Obsession, known for her role in Superman & Lois.

Focus Features

The production company behind Obsession, along with Blumhouse.

Blumhouse

The production company behind Obsession, along with Focus Features.

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What they’re saying

“It's one insane journey paved with blood-soaked violence and no shortage of nightmare fuel.”

— Meagan Navarro, Critic

What’s next

Barker's next project, Anything But Ghosts, is already in the works with Blumhouse and Spooky Pictures.

The takeaway

Obsession is a bold and controversial take on the wish-fulfillment horror genre, challenging audiences with its unpredictable journey and focus on the consequences of getting exactly what you want.