Obsession follows a young man named Bear who uses a mystical "One Wish Willow" to make his longtime crush Nikki fall in love with him — only to face terrifying consequences when her affection turns dangerously obsessive. The film mixes uncomfortable comedy with schlocky horror moments and real tension around consent, entitlement and codependency.
Bear draws a wish that triggers immediate results. The wish works fast and the pair begin a romance, but Nikki's behaviour quickly spirals. She becomes overly clingy, erratic and violent, ultimately pleading with Bear to kill her before her obsessive side takes over entirely.
Obsession Box Office — Earning 16 Times Its Budget Opening Weekend
As of May 17, 2026, Obsession has grossed $17.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $7 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $23.1 million.
The film was released alongside Is God Is and In the Grey, and was initially projected to gross $8–10 million in its opening weekend. After making $6.6 million on its first day, estimates were raised to $14 million, and it ultimately debuted to $17.2 million, finishing third at the box office behind holdovers Michael and The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Critical Reception — 94% on Rotten Tomatoes
On Rotten Tomatoes, 94% of 179 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.0/10. The website's consensus reads: "Taking an icky conceit and twisting it to deviously crowd-pleasing ends, Obsession is dauntingly disturbing while also skillfully amusing and thrilling." Metacritic assigned the film a score of 77 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews.
The film premiered at TIFF 2025 in the Midnight Madness section and earned strong reviews before selling to Focus Features for over $15 million after a bidding war — an extraordinary return on a $1 million production budget.
Director Curry Barker Eyes Sequel and Anthology Series
As buzz around Obsession grows, director Curry Barker has said he would be open to expanding the story into an anthology series. He is also considering a direct sequel, despite acknowledging a potential plot hole in the film's premise.
Barker has additionally been linked to bigger studio projects, including reported interest in a Texas Chain Saw Massacre reboot, signalling Hollywood's attention on the breakout filmmaker following his debut's extraordinary performance.
When Will Obsession Be Available to Stream?
Fans eager to watch Obsession at home can likely expect a digital rental or purchase option around the second week of June 2026, following Focus Features' typical 30-day window. A streaming premiere on Paramount+ is expected around the second week of July, roughly 60 days after the theatrical release — though the timeline may shift depending on how long the film holds in cinemas.
Cast and Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Director | Curry Barker |
| Stars | Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Andy Richter |
| Budget | $1 million |
| Worldwide Gross | $23.1 million (as of May 17 ET) |
| US Distributor | Focus Features |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 94% |
| Runtime | 109 minutes |
The film's score, composed by Rock Burwell in his debut as a feature film composer, consists of 18 tracks and was released on May 15, 2026, alongside the film's theatrical opening.
