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 far more sinister price. A film by Curry Barker, starring Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Haley Fitzgerald, Darin Toonder, Anthony Pavone, Justice, Anthony Casabianca, Chloe Breen, Malcolm Kelner, and Andy Richter.
OBSESSION
Curry Barker
(2026)
Written and directed by American filmmaker Curry Barker in his theatrical debut, Obsession is a supernatural horror film following a music store employee who buys a novelty toy that claims to grant one wish. To his surprise, the wish comes true. However, he soon realizes it’s not exactly what he wanted.
You wished for this.
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A film by Curry Barker, starring Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Haley Fitzgerald, Darin Toonder, Anthony Pavone, Justice, Anthony Casabianca, Chloe Breen, Malcolm Kelner, and Andy Richter.
The supernatural element at the core of the story isn’t something new. The idea of magical artifacts granting wishes has been done countless times. It is pretty clear that “One Wish Willow,” a toy that claims to grant a wish when broken, is inspired by W.W. Jacobs’ “The Monkey’s Paw.” First appearing in Harper’s Monthly in September 1902, Jacobs’ classic tale features a mummified paw that grants three wishes, though each one comes with grave consequences as punishment for anyone who dares tamper with fate.
The cast delivers impressive performances, particularly Inde Navarrette as Nikki, the protagonist’s crush who is possessed by a supernatural entity after the wish is granted. She carries much of the film with raw intensity, convincingly toggling between her true self and the entity that overtakes her, suppressing her consciousness whenever it’s in control. Navarrette is captivating in every scene. There are several memorable moments where her acting echoes the menacing heights of Mia Goth’s iconic performance in Ti West’s Pearl.
OBSESSION stands perfectly on its own. With only one survivor by the end, it tells a complete story that doesn’t demand a sequel or prequel. Yet, the “One Wish Willow” itself could easily become this generation’s Monkey’s Paw. There is endless potential for spin-offs if the writers can come up with inventive stories for this universe.
I love the strict rule set dictating that one person can only get one wish. You can’t simply undo a mistake. The only workaround is trying to persuade someone else to make a wish to save you, which is much easier said than done.
OBSESSION premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on 5 September 2025. The film was theatrically released in the United States by on 15 May 2026. As of June 2026, it grossed over $300 million worldwide on a production budget under $1 million.
