Obsession is currently undergoing the glow of one of the most successful box office runs ever. Liminal horror is having its coming-of-age this summer and that cross pollination with the horror trend of adapting tumblr literotica tropes for horror movies (here, read: noncon love spell) and you have yourself a hit. One of the most amazing things about this movie is the way that we have such a limited understanding of each character’s backstory or really anything about them except for these little one-off statements and asides after the action has already begun. Nikki (played by Inde Navarette, sure to be this year’s Mikey Madison/Anora on the awards circuit) inserts herself as a completely normal everygirl complete with snorts, meaningful asides, and tough love, before etching away every shred of personality into an emotional palimpsest hellbent on bagging her man Bear. AV Club’s headline about Bear as the “final boss of nice guys” is absolutely fabulous. One of the equations for horror (normal world + monster, Noël Carroll) essentially places this in Monkey territory, a poorly crafted wish has unintended consequences, but also, when we talk with a purveyor of the One Wish Willows later in the final act, we get the sense that these are widespread (though underground) products with well-known consequences. The guy even comments about his wish and its side effects, “Well, that’s not too bad!” leading to so many follow up questions which will inevitably be answered in next year’s sequel or series or franchise or whatever comes from this unexpected lightning in a bottle. Obsession is special because of the way that we have been given such strategic obfuscation about our monster beyond the lovesick simulacrum created by our hero-turned-victim. His imperturbable dedication to making things work is admirable and also tragic, but also there is no real worry for skittish audiences wondering if they will be able to handle the gore. The set pieces of creepypasta consist almost entirely of Navarette skittering like a demonic crab across the set and letting her face contort in a roller coaster of emotions. There’s a lot of talk about That Scene at the party in the second act, but really anyone who has had time to spin their wheels on this story for a few days has any number of That Scenes to work from: the debate over whether or not they have a honeymoon period, the sex scene as frightening or erotic, the sloppy way that Nikki first gets back into the car, that Other scene in the car later which feels so totally deserved, That Scene with the Sandwich, That Scene with the Money. Like, where do we stop? Bestie has been quoting the entire movie for a week since and at any given opportunity I will re-enact the way that Nikki is sucked back into the darkness of the adjoining room in one of the weirdest bits of physical creepypasta ever. We haven’t even talked about the absolutely amazing marketing campaign to personally bully specific critics yet! You’ll be obsessed too.
