The horror film ‘Obsession’, which is currently causing a stir at the American box office, is currently attracting the attention of both viewers and critics. This is the feature film debut of director Curry Barker, who has gained popularity by making horror short films on YouTube.

One of the main reasons why this film has attracted a majority of Gen-G and netizen viewers is its precise concept. The main theme of ‘Obsession’ is ‘Be careful what you wish for’. In the film, the main character Beer takes the help of a will-based weapon ‘One Wish Willow’ to get the love of the girl he loves ‘Nikki’. His wish is fulfilled, but that love turns into ‘obsession’ (madness) in such a terrible and violent way, that Beer’s life itself becomes ‘hell-like’. 

The film has a wonderful combination of horror and dark humor. Although it is called a horror film, ‘Obsession’ does not only have scary scenes, but also strongly satirizes the misogynistic thoughts and feelings of the current generation and the ‘manosphere’, a group of men on the Internet. Some of the scenes are so uncomfortable and strange that they create fear and laughter in the audience at the same time.

Actress Inde Navarrete, who plays the role of Nikki in the film, is currently receiving widespread praise. Navarrete’s effort to transform from a normal and childish girl into a terrifying character who suddenly makes cruel faces, shows strange gestures, and stares at her from the dark corners of the room in the middle of the night is commendable.

As important as the story and presentation of the film in making record-breaking business, the small investment made in it is also important. With a budget of less than $ 10 million, this film has surpassed the success of expensive films produced by big Hollywood studios. The success of horror films is not measured only by flashy visual effects, but ‘Obsession’ has proven that good writing, excellent editing, and the right combination of lighting can also create a sense of fear in the audience. ‘Obsession’ is sure to be a milestone in the horror film genre. The media ‘The Cosmic Circus’ has skillfully shown how the feeling of love and intimacy can be presented in a terrifying way, calling this film the best horror film of the year.

Even critic Roger Ebert has commented that this film is very cruel, violent, and disturbing. But some critics have also written that the director has succeeded in showing the fears and desires of today's young generation together as if in a mirror.

In ‘The Arts Fuse’, critic Michael Morano compared ‘Obsession’ to the famous 1987 film ‘Fatal Attraction’ and said that it skillfully exposed the fears of dating, sex and relationships of today’s youth. Morano argues that Barker’s film has succeeded in transforming dating, mutual consent and loneliness into a tragic and terrifying story. He writes, ‘This film is not only scary, but also very sad. Obsession artistically presents the fears of the ‘friend-zone’, the frustrations of boring jobs and the mental health aspects of today’s Gen-G and Millennial youth.’

Similarly, ‘The Hollywood Reporter’ has critically commented that it is ‘an excellent horror film that gives a new and fresh look to an old formula’. The media outlet wrote that ‘Obsession’ also tries to interpret the idea based on the famous 1902 story ‘The Monkey’s Paw’ in a very interesting and new way. Also, even though the story moves a little slowly in some cases, it manages to maintain fear and curiosity until the end, and ‘The Hollywood Reporter’ mentioned that the film also has some powerful scenes that will lift and shake the audience.

Benjamin Lee gave ‘Obsession’ four stars in ‘The Guardian’ and wrote that it presents ‘a disgusting and terrifying story of how the desire for true love becomes a curse’.

Reviewer Benjamin said that the film clearly illustrates the situation of how ‘the magic of love can be reversed’ and said that the director has given a modern look to the style of the fairy tale by mixing the flavor of 1980s horror films. Benjamin believes that the film's strong point is that it shows how Nikki's boundless love for Bear gradually turns into an obsession, gradually becoming unbearable for the couple.

He writes that the film figuratively depicts the situation where anyone in the obsession with love loses their personality and becomes just a 'robot', raising the serious question of 'if the person you love lost their existence to have you, would you still love them?'

On the other hand, in 'The Variety', critic Gay Laws believes that 'Obsession' is a great satire on the cultural deviation and patriarchal rule of today's 'netizens'. He says, ‘Nikki’s artificial love, which she received from the magic wand, is no different from a relationship with an AI chatbot, which ends in a very terrible and bloody end.’

Linda Cook also gave the film four stars, mentioning that the story based on anxiety, despair and the disastrous consequences of fulfilling wishes is very flexible and directed. She also called the film a modern rendition of the story of a terrifying wish-fulfilling glove written by W.W. Jacobs in the early 1900s.