So I just watched Obsession, and I have to say—it fits right into my love for those underrated B-horror movies that somehow manage to leave you with that unexpected, chilling feeling. The vibe it gave me reminded me of Smile… but honestly, even more of Smile 2. And since I’m working on a little Smile 3 fan fiction… wink… this one definitely scratched that psychological horror itch.
Now yes, it’s a low-budget film—but honestly? It’s still better than what I could probably make with a first-film budget. It proves you don’t need millions of dollars if you’ve got a compelling story and actors who commit to the material.
The cast is made up of mostly unknown actors, but they all deliver solid performances. And while the basic premise has been done before, who cares? This movie creates its own identity.
Inde Navarrette, who plays Nikki, absolutely sells the psychological deterioration of her character. Watching the behavioral changes she goes through because of Bear’s obsession is unsettling. What’s fascinating is that on the surface it looks like Nikki is obsessed with Bear—but that’s never actually true. The obsession belongs to Bear from the very beginning.
The movie is really about manipulation, consequences, and how terrible people are at communicating with one another.
Bear, played by Michael Johnston, never truly takes responsibility for the monster he creates through the wishing branch. Even when Ian asks him whether he actually likes Nikki, I don’t think Bear is being honest—not with Ian and definitely not with himself.
What’s even worse is that he keeps asking Nikki if she’s in love with him, even though he knows every emotion she’s displaying is the result of the wish he made. That’s what makes the film so disturbing. He understands she’s under a supernatural influence, yet he continues to benefit from it.
Even when he becomes intimate with Nikki while she’s trapped in that trance, she’s clearly not into him. Not even a little. That intimacy never comes across as love or respect. It feels selfish. It feels like he’s taking advantage of someone whose free will has been stolen.
As the story progresses and Nikki realizes just how trapped she is, she’s literally begging Bear to end her life. Think about that.
She was never with him.
She never chose him.
And even then… he still refuses to take responsibility.
Then there’s Sarah.
I’m probably in the minority, but I honestly had very little sympathy for her. She witnesses Nikki’s increasingly disturbing behavior—including Nikki literally harming herself until she’s bleeding—and yet she still convinces Bear to leave Nikki alone at around three in the morning.
Forget the supernatural stuff for a second.
Even if Nikki had simply been Bear’s girlfriend going through an emotional breakdown, why would you encourage him to leave her to meet up with you? Friend or not, that’s disrespectful.
But then again, Bear spends this entire movie showing he has very little regard for anyone else’s feelings. He’s the definition of an F-boy—immature, selfish, and honestly… a coward.
And that jump scare involving Nikki, Bear, and Sarah?
I literally said, “Oh… this is about to go horribly wrong.”
By that point Bear knows everything is real. He knows the wish can’t simply be undone. Unless he dies, there’s no easy escape.
Then Sarah reveals that Nikki and Ian have been hooking up. Nothing serious—but everyone involved knows Bear has feelings for Nikki. Yet nobody communicates. Everybody keeps secrets until it’s far too late.
That’s another theme the movie keeps hammering home.
No one communicates honestly.
Bear lies to himself.
Sarah hides her feelings.
Ian keeps secrets.
And Nikki never had a choice in any of it.
Had these characters actually talked to each other from the beginning, maybe none of what happened would’ve spiraled the way it did.
In the end, Bear’s choices create a domino effect that destroys everyone around him.
Nikki loses her freedom.
Two people lose their lives.
And Bear ultimately earns the fate waiting for him.
He created the monster.
He ruined Nikki’s life.
He set every tragedy into motion.
By the end of the film, there really wasn’t another way out.
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
If you’re into slow-burn psychological horror with supernatural elements, character-driven tension, and movies that leave you thinking about accountability long after the credits roll, I’d definitely recommend giving The Obsession a watch.