Directed by Curry Barker.
Obsession was released in the United States on May 15, 2026.
Distributed by Universal Pictures through Focus Features.
Obsession (2026) Movie Review
Obsession is a scary and emotional horror movie about love becoming dangerous.
The story follows Bear, a lonely young man who secretly loves his friend Nikki.
He uses a magical wish to make her fall in love with him, but things quickly become frightening when her love turns obsessive and violent.
Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette both give strong performances that make the story feel real and intense.
The movie slowly builds tension instead of using too many jump scares.
It mixes romance, fear, and sadness in an interesting way.
Overall, Obsession is a dark and powerful horror film with emotional depth and memorable performances.
CR Rating: 8.5/10.
Obsession Actors
Michael Johnston as Bear Bailey
DOB: February 22, 1996.
Bio: American actor, musician, and singer best known for his work in television dramas and coming-of-age stories.
He first gained recognition through Disney projects before moving into darker and more mature material.
Over the years, Johnston has built a reputation for playing emotionally vulnerable characters with awkward charm and sincerity.
Role: Bear Bailey is a shy and emotionally isolated music store employee who has secretly loved his best friend Nikki for years.
Desperate to finally make her love him back, he uses the mysterious “One Wish Willow.
Instead of creating a healthy romance, the wish unleashes a twisted supernatural obsession that slowly destroys everyone around him.
Interesting facts: Johnston is also active as an independent musician and has released original music alongside his acting career.
Notable Works: Teen Wolf, Slash, Endangered Species.
Inde Navarrette as Nikki Freeman
DOB: March 3, 2001.
Bio: American actress who rose to prominence through television dramas before becoming widely known as Sarah Cushing in Superman & Lois.
She has steadily built a strong reputation in both drama and horror because of her emotional range and intense screen presence.
Role: Nikki Freeman is Bear Bailey’s best friend and co-worker in Obsession.
What begins as a close friendship becomes increasingly disturbing after Bear uses the supernatural “One Wish Willow” to force a romantic outcome.
Interesting facts: Navarrette mentioned drawing inspiration from Mia Goth’s performance in Pearl while shaping Nikki’s emotional instability and descent into obsession.
Notable Works: Superman & Lois, 13 Reasons Why, Wander Darkly.
Cooper Tomlinson as Ian
DOB: N/A.
Bio: American actor who has gradually built recognition through independent films, smaller dramatic projects, and genre storytelling.
Much of his early visibility came through collaborations connected to filmmaker Curry Barker, helping establish him among newer horror and thriller audiences.
Role: Ian is Bear’s longtime friend who tries to pull him back into reality as Nikki’s behavior becomes more dangerous.
Although Ian initially treats the situation casually, he eventually realizes the horrifying truth behind the supernatural wish.
Interesting facts: Tomlinson previously worked with Curry Barker before Obsession, helping create natural chemistry within the cast.
Notable Works: Mank, Aberdeen.
Megan Lawless as Sarah Harper
DOB: N/A,
Bio: American actress known for dramatic and thriller-based performances.
She has become known for playing characters who feel naturalistic and emotionally believable, particularly in stories centered on psychological tension and interpersonal conflict.
Role: Sarah Harper is part of Bear and Nikki’s social circle and becomes one of the first people to recognize how unhealthy and dangerous Nikki’s obsession has become.
Sarah’s growing fear creates much of the film’s emotional tension, especially during the second half of the story.
Interesting facts: Lawless has been praised online for making Sarah feel realistic instead of simply becoming a typical horror victim character.
Notable Works: The Hate U Give, The Death That Awaits.
Andy Richter as Carter Harper
DOB: October 28, 1966.
Bio: American actor, comedian, and television personality best known for his longtime collaboration with Conan O’Brien.
Although widely recognized for comedy, Richter has also appeared in dramatic and voice roles throughout his career.
Role: Carter Harper is Sarah’s father and one of the older adult figures in the story.
As the situation surrounding Nikki grows darker, Carter becomes involved in the frightening fallout created by the supernatural curse.
Interesting facts: Richter is famous for his decades-long partnership with Conan O’Brien across multiple late-night talk shows.
Notable Works: Conan, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, Madagascar, Bones.
Haley Fitzgerald as Viola
DOB: April 22, 1994.
Bio: American actress known for work across independent dramas, thrillers, television guest appearances, and stage-inspired projects.
Her performances often focus on emotionally layered or enigmatic characters, particularly in stories involving interpersonal tension and psychological conflict.
Role: Viola is part of the wider social circle surrounding Bear Bailey and Nikki Freeman in Obsession.
As the supernatural curse intensifies and Nikki’s behavior becomes increasingly unstable, Viola becomes one of the people caught inside the emotional fallout.
Interesting facts: Fitzgerald has worked in both horror and dramatic genres, which helped her adapt easily to Obsession’s emotional shifts.
Notable Works: Mean Girls (musical adaptation), Bull.
Darin Toonder as Harry
DOB: September 11, 1973,
Bio: American actor who has appeared primarily in independent films, thrillers, and smaller genre productions.
He has gradually built recognition through supporting roles that often place him inside tense or psychologically driven stories.
Role: Harry becomes involved in the increasingly chaotic chain of events created by the “One Wish Willow.”
His scenes help expand the movie’s supernatural mystery and paranoia.
Interesting facts: Toonder’s role grew in popularity online after fans discussed several of the movie’s darker twists.
Notable Works: Paradise, Devotion.
Anthony Pavone as Reggie
DOB: N/A.
Bio: American actor working primarily in independent films, thrillers, and genre-focused productions.
Over the course of his early career, he has steadily built experience through supporting appearances in smaller-scale projects, gradually expanding his screen résumé within the indie film scene.
Role: Reggie is part of Bear Bailey’s wider friend group in Obsession.
As Nikki’s supernatural obsession grows more dangerous and unpredictable, Reggie becomes caught in the increasingly disturbing fallout surrounding the cursed wish.
Interesting facts: Pavone’s scenes contribute to the movie’s grounded social atmosphere before the horror intensifies.
Notable Works: Obsession and independent projects.
Justice as Joe
DOB: N/A.
Bio: An emerging performer who has appeared in supporting roles across independent and genre-focused productions.
While still early in their screen career, their work has primarily centered on ensemble casts and smaller-scale thriller and horror projects.
Role: Joe appears as part of the wider social circle surrounding Bear Bailey and Nikki Freeman in Obsession.
Through several group and party scenes, the character helps establish the film’s grounded friendship dynamic
Interesting facts: The character became part of several fan discussions surrounding the movie’s shocking later scenes.
Notable Works: Obsession.
Anthony Casabianca as Chris
DOB: N/A.
Bio: American actor known for supporting appearances in independent films and smaller genre-focused productions.
His work has largely centered on ensemble-driven stories, particularly within thriller and horror spaces.
Role: Chris is part of the extended social group connected to Bear’s increasingly unstable world.
His presence helps reinforce the movie’s grounded friendship dynamic before the supernatural horror escalates.
Interesting facts: Casabianca’s role contributes to the film’s realism during the earlier scenes.
Notable Works: Obsession.
More Actors
• Chloe Breen as Ruthie.
• Malcolm Kelner as Bartender.
• Travis Beck as Bar Patron.
• Kyle Blumenthal as Partygoer.
FAQ – Obsession (2026) Movie
What is Obsession (2026) about?
Obsession follows Bear, a lonely young man who uses a supernatural object called the “One Wish Willow” to make his best friend Nikki fall in love with him. The wish works, but Nikki’s love becomes dangerously obsessive and violent.
What is the “One Wish Willow” in the movie?
The “One Wish Willow” is a mysterious supernatural object that grants wishes, but every wish comes with horrifying consequences.
Is Obsession a supernatural horror movie?
Yes. The movie combines supernatural horror, psychological thriller, romance, and emotional drama.
How long is Obsession?
The runtime is approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes.
Where can I watch Obsession?
The movie is currently playing in theaters and is expected to stream later on Peacock after its theatrical run.
Conclusion
Obsession is more than just a supernatural horror movie because it also explores loneliness, love, and emotional control in a disturbing way.
With strong performances from Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette, the film delivers both emotional drama and psychological terror.
Its slow-burn tension, dark atmosphere, and tragic story make it a memorable horror experience for viewers who enjoy emotional and character-driven thrillers.