Love Is Blind
109 Mins. Starring: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless & Andy Richter. Screenplay: Curry Barker. Director: Curry Barker. In: Theatres.
By TIM DAVID HARVEY
An indie that just passed $500 million worldwide. The biggest original film of the decade. The highest-grossing original horror film of the century. Right now, it only sees the great M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Sixth Sense', starring Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment and Toni Collette, ahead of it as second-biggest original horror ever.
Curry Barker ('Milk & Serial', the forthcoming 'Anything But Ghosts') might just be the next great YouTuber turned horror director after Kane Parson entered Hollywood through the 'Backrooms' and changed the horror game. The genre has always been about using surface scares to cut at something deeper in the heart and horrors of humanity. From the tomes of Stephen King and all the movies he's inspired and been adapted for (we see some 'Misery' here...but in a whole different way), to all the iconic characters (Freddie, Jason, et al) and what they really symbolize in society. But lately, it's been elevated, like a possessed person, to an even higher art-form, worthy of all the awards. And that's thanks to modern greats, like Jordan Peele ('Get Out', 'Us', 'Nope') and Ari Aster ('Hereditary', 'Midsommar', 'Beau Is Afraid'). The social-commentary is something even the subtle science of superhero movies can't quite fathom in the movie mainstream.
Star Inde Navarrette ('13 Reasons Why', 'Superman & Lois') is about to go Rogue for the new X-Men academy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, alongside the likes of 'Stranger Things' star Sadie Sink and 'Star Wars' icon Adam Driver. And this gifted youngster deserves the awards that will come her way too, Sugar! Alongside the conflicted conscience of a layered and nuanced Michael Johnston ('Teen Wolf', 'Slash'), not just reduced to a tired, toxic male trope, and standout performances from Cooper Tomlinson and Megan Lawless, not to mention, the great Andy Richter. This incredible, inspired and influential indie is one of the biggest films of the year. Even impressing on 'The Odyssey' of Christopher Nolan, who after seeing this, is considering delving into the genre of horror more. Not content at just scaring us with the Gods and monsters of Homer.
Tom Holland loves it, too. Calling it the reasons that we go to movies. And he's right. Just like his 'Brand New Day' is on the money, passing Marvel's 'Endgame'. He and Zendaya are in both this and 'The Odyssey', but in 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' they also give us a message about autonomy and possession...albeit in a much friendlier, more neighbourhood round of way. Here in Japan, 'The Drama' of Zendaya and Robert Pattinson has just arrived in theatres, and the catalyst of that plot really needs to be discussed in another review. Because it's another difficult watch and challenges you to the core, like this one. The way some movies, and works of art, ought to do. You best believe watching these two movies back-to-back yesterday was heavy for the heart. Add the surprise, jump-scare hits of 'The End Of Oak Street' (Stephen King loves that, too, just so you know) to the end of the day and it wasn't just my wages that were spent.
Unsettling and deeply unnerving, 'Obsession' is a film that will make you obsessed with keeping the lights on. Even if its scares are more psychological, that's what scars differently and deeper. Darker in its tones. Curry knows how to bark up the right tree of all the tricks and trades of horror movies, but there's something more going on than simple jump scares. Who would have thought that duct tape and Jenga would be so terrifying, now that the cat is well and truly out the bag. Much more than that though, it's the shadowy, soulless look in the eyes (see above), that's no trick of the camera, and the way Navarrette moves in some instances will send more than shivers down your spine as you check the corners of your room. More meaningful, still, when Inde screams, in her real form, your blood won't just be curdled, your heart will be broken. And you just may be left screaming and crying yourself, like Michael, because 'Obsession' is as heart-breaking as it is horrifying.
You see, Johnston's character is more than a little obsessed by Inde's. The close friends, could have been something more, maybe, in another life, if they just talked about it, and that was both their choosing. And that's another thing that makes this all so sad. But instead, in a moment of passive madness, not knowing what he was really doing, Johnston's Bear snaps a novelty, 'One Wish Willow' toy. And I bet you can guess what he wished for. Bear being an appropriate, not so cuddly name, although I could have sworn I heard him being called Caesar at one point, too, that would absolutely be in line with the corrupting themes of power. Now, what comes next shan't be spoilt, but it's what makes Barker's theme so brutal, brilliant and bloody necessary to see. And to think this all came from pitching a different 'Obsession' about an episode of 'The Simpsons'' legendary 'Treehouse Of Terror' series. Now, 'Obsession' is in the top ten of 2026 gross. And it's even more than gross.
Everything from 'Hansel & Gretel', to 'Romeo and Juliet' gets referenced here, and sure, some critics may look at this star-crossed lover and think it reduces woman in love to obsessed maniacs, but that's not what's happening here, or the point. Horror has always been a genre to shock and awe, but the bones beneath reveal more than an X-ray of the soul. All as we need to flesh out some of the deeper themes and talking points that don't get discussed in this day and age of social media manipulation. No to mention, the swipe right shopping that has become of modern dating with no actual application. 'Obsession' has a message about consent that everyone needs to be aware of. And if people can't see that, they will definitely hear that when they receive the real Inde on the other end of the phone.
This is just something you can't put down. These utterly disturbing sounds, alongside the visuals that will stay with you much longer and harder than the bump in the night, should have everyone questioning their moral ground. Especially men. A more extreme version of the writing of 'Ruby Sparks', 'Obsession' does something that Chris Pratt's science-fiction 'Passengers' failed to do. Hold us all accountable. A man must never make a woman do his biding. This shouldn't even have to be explained. Just expected. Always. This is no 'Weird Science'. And love can only exist if it exists, not if it persists. The leading man knows that, as the one who has his heart turns into a hybrid of 'Carrie' and 'The Exorcist', and something far more terrifying inside. But let's stop learning when it becomes too little and all too late. The love you hold in your heart may be your own, but the will of those you hold a candle for is their own. Absolutely so. If you blow it out...please don't make a wish.
Further Filming: 'Misery', 'The Invisible Man', 'Ruby Sparks'.
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