Obsession is the debut feature film from comedy sketch YouTuber-turned-director Curry Barker.

Starring a largely unknown cast and made on a budget of just US$1 million, the indie horror is already outperforming Disney’s latest Star Wars film starring Pedro Pascal and Baby Yoda at the box office.

The film follows Bear (Michael Johnston), a shy young man trying to work up the courage to ask out his friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette).

When he loses his nerve, he makes a wish at a “One Wish Willow” that Nikki would “love me more than anything in the f****** world” – essentially removing the possibility of rejection, and with it, her autonomy.

Soon after, Nikki begins flirting with him almost obsessively. Things spiral quickly from there.

Without spoiling too much, Obsession is brilliantly crafted, constantly shifting between hilarious and deeply unsettling with impressive precision.

Barker’s greatest strength is that both lead characters seem trapped in completely different horror films, each becoming both the other’s fantasy and nightmare. It creates the ultimate toxic relationship, and the film leaves audiences debating who the real monster is.

Johnston gives a deceptively layered performance as Bear, making it easy for both the audience and the surrounding characters to excuse his behaviour until it is far too late.

Barker’s storytelling-style complements this perfectly, at times feeling like a quirky coming-of-age romance before violently snapping back into horror.

Navarrette is phenomenal as both Nikki and the terrifying “Freaky Nikki”, delivering scares that are loud, quiet and psychologically unnerving. Her performance is the film’s standout and easily worthy of major award attention.

The supporting cast also shines, especially the pair’s friends, whose interactions steadily build tension and suspicion. Even customer-service workers become memorable sources of comic relief.

While there are some excellent jump scares, the film’s most effective horror comes from slower, deeply uncomfortable moments – awkward social interactions, uncanny body language and the quietly terrifying inefficiency of customer-service helplines.

The cinematography is stylish, the soundtrack is spot-on, and the film leaves plenty to discuss afterwards.

Even if the “wish gone wrong” premise sounds familiar, Barker and his young cast deliver a fresh, inventive horror film that works brilliantly with a crowd.

Obsession

■ Horror; R16, contains violence, sex scenes, offensive language , suicide and content that may disturb; 1hr 48mins

■ Starring: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless

■ Director: Curry Barker

9/10