Twisted Romance Horror 'Obsession' Drops A Chilling First Trailer
A new horror-thriller is already earning rave reviews for its unique blend of terrifying scares and laugh-out-loud comedy. When a young man's wish for love comes true, he discovers that some desires have a sinister price. Get a first look at the film critics are calling 'nightmare fuel.'
One of 2026's most anticipated genre films has just given audiences a first glimpse of the terror to come. From the mind behind the viral found footage project Milk & Serial, this new movie explores the dark side of getting everything you've ever wanted, especially when it comes to love.
A Wish Gone Wrong
Focus Features has officially debuted the teaser for Curry Barker's Obsession, slated for a theatrical release on May 15, 2026. The story centers on a young man who, desperate to capture the attention of his crush, uses a magical "One Wish Willow" to make her fall for him. But as their relationship blossoms, he begins to question if her feelings are genuine, and a sinister reality starts to unravel.
The film stars Michael Johnston (My Oni Girl), Inde Navarrette (Superman and Lois), Cooper Tomlinson (Treasure Trackers), Megan Lawless (The Hate U Give), and veteran comedian Andy Richter (Conan).
After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.
Rave Reviews and High Praise
Even with its release over a year away, Obsession is already generating significant buzz, holding an impressive 97% on Rotten Tomatoes after its festival run. Critics are hailing it as a standout film that masterfully balances genuine frights with sharp humor. Many believe this will be the breakout feature for writer-director Curry Barker, who previously gained a following for his unsettling YouTube films like Milk & Serial and shorts such as Striking Gold and Warnings.
Matt Donato's review for IGN suggests the movie will cement Barker's reputation, stating it "should and will put Barker on the map as a horror filmmaker you need to watch with this addictive sour Valentine’s Day counterprogramming." Following its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, Geek Vibes Nation called it "one of the biggest standouts" of the event, giving special credit to "Navarrette’s incredible performance and Barker’s confident direction and writing."
The film's unique tonal blend is a common point of praise. Germain Lussier of io9 noted that the movie had him "laughing out loud," while at other moments he was left "legitimately terrified." This sentiment was echoed by Alex Papaioannou of InSession Film, who was particularly struck by the film's conclusion: "With its deeply dark sense of humor, the final moments of this film will leave genre fans walking out of the theater eagerly anticipating Barker’s next foray into genre filmmaking."