Curry Barker’s “Obsession” reinforces that a strong grip of comedy makes effective horror.
The two genres require a good command of tonal timing, as each second in a scene can be crucial in building a crescendo toward the specific emotion you want your audience to feel. This is why it is natural for filmmakers like Jordan Peele and Zach Cregger to jump from comedy to horror.
Barker started his career doing short horror films on his YouTube channel, but even then, and with “Obsession”, humor is pivotal to the story. “Obsession” has a silly premise that’s fit for a romantic comedy. Bear (Michael Johnston) is a shy romantic who wants to win his crush, Nikki (Inde Navarette). When he tried playing around with “One Wish Willow”, a mysterious toy that you make a wish on when you break it in half, Bear immediately discovers the power it holds.
Wishes made with the “One Wish Willow” are irreversible, unless the wisher dies or you ask another person to wish a reversal for you. Bear learned it the hard way, as his hopes for Nikki to like him back turned her into a horrifyingly obsessed manic.
The film is basically a tormented version of “Aladdin” minus the heart and glamor. Writer-director Curry Barker must be having a lot of fun writing the screenplay of “Obsession”, because you can feel it on-screen. He toyed around with tonal shifts, mixing quirky romance with slow-burn horror without feeling forced. Barker is also unapologetic to his characters, pushing them to situations beyond their comfort zones.
“Obsession” has a great female lead performance in Inde Navarette, who is truly terrifying as Nikki. It’s a surprising turn. The moments Nikki had her first and last transformation in the film, Navarette brought emotional vulnerability that is scarce in recent horror films. The movie will surely be remembered because of her.
“Obsession” is now showing in New Zealand cinemas.
Featured images from Rialto Distribution.
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