Director Curry Barker details complex themes of consent and communication in new horror Obsession
Curry Barker explains his grounded directorial approach to character tragedy and supernatural obsession
As Curry Barker achieves his cinematic breakthrough with Obsession, he is examining the project's intricate themes regarding consent and dialogue. The horror movie's creator and director recently analysed the manner in which the figure of Nikki (Inde Naverrette) gets framed simultaneously as an antagonist and a casualty once her closest companion, Bear (Michael Johnston) voices a desire for her to adore him above everything else across the globe.
“Well, we wanted it to feel grounded, and we wanted to really lean into, ‘OK, magic is real in this world, fine. Let’s accept that, let’s move on,'” explained Barker to DiscussingFilm. “And now, what you’re left with is a pretty tragic story about a man and a woman, and leaning into the realism of that was really important to me.”
Though Naverrette impeccably embodies Nikki as an individual controlled by a malicious presence consumed by Bear, her acting simultaneously incorporates agonised emotional displays as the genuine Nikki occasionally escapes her internal imprisonment to respond with dread whilst her associate exploits the circumstances.
Currently screening across cinemas, Obsession additionally features Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless and Andy Richter.
Future Cinematic Projects
Succeeding Barker’s 2024 initial filmmaking effort Milk & Serial, Obsession represents his true arrival, preceding an extensive production schedule that features Blumhouse’s Anything but Ghosts alongside A24’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
