Obsession Horror Film Earns $62M on Under $1M Budget

A low-budget horror film has become a surprise box office sensation, signaling the arrival of a major new filmmaker. "Obsession," the feature debut from writer-director Curry Barker, opened in theaters on May 15 and has since demonstrated remarkable staying power, increasing its domestic gross in its second weekend of release. The film, distributed by Focus Features, has earned over $62 million domestically against a production budget reported to be under $1 million.

The story centers on Baron "Bear" Bailey, played by Michael Johnston, a music store employee who uses a supernatural item called a "One Wish Willow" to make his childhood friend and co-worker, Nikki Freeman (Inde Navarrette), fall obsessively in love with him. The film explores the horrific consequences of this magical manipulation, framing it as a cautionary tale about consent, communication, and the dangers of forcing romantic fantasy into reality. After Bear makes his wish, Nikki becomes possessed by a demonic, all-consuming obsession, leading to a violent and tragic chain of events that culminates in the deaths of two friends, Sarah and Ian, played by Megan Lawless and Cooper Tomlinson.