Obsession
review by Bobby Blakey
Being able to make a wish is a subject that everyone has discussed in their lives. Everyone knows how to make it work and we all know that it usually goes horribly wrong. The idea lends itself to every film genre, but the latest Obsession, leans into a more horror side of love. The film stars Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter from Milk & Serial director Curry Barker. Could this film bring something fresh and new to the genre, or will it not be a wish worth granting?
Obsession follows a hopeless romantic who finds himself getting exactly what he asked for after breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.
I am always leery on make a wish films, as they often get lost on themselves and fail to line everything up in a way that makes sense. This film offers a slow burn to the meat of the story that initially had me concerned as it seemed to take forever to get to the real point of the story. This is purposeful in its execution to not only introduce us to the players but set a tone that it maintains throughout even at its most insane.
It’s pacing while by design did put me off at first and might lose others as well, but I promise if you stick with it there is a great payoff. The film uses a simple premise and never tries to overcomplicate it, which is why it works. They lean into the idea and smash you over the head with the execution with some horrific great visuals and excellent performances. The story is more layered than you might think with
the lead nice guy played by Johnston who seems innocent enough and just in love, but with his decisions almost becomes the bad guy of sorts even if unintentional.
The flip side is the seeming victim turned crazed person played brilliantly by Navarrette. Where Johnston has a deeper dive into the emotional depths of his dealings of the heart, fear and of course obsession, Navarrette has the bigger challenge of essentially playing multiple personalities. She navigates it flawlessly and is a far cry from her role in Superman and Lois and will no doubt give her a much-deserved push in her career. She is the reason this film works on the horror and humor side where Johnston is the piece holding it all together despite its fractured sanity.
There are the usual issues of dumb decision making, but here it works as it shows the darkness of his decisions and that maybe he isn’t the best guy either. This is the kind of film that won’t work for everyone, especially with slower pacing, but if you wait it out it’s all worth it. I have heard there is an bloody version that I hope we get eventually but have no fear this one still goes all in with the chaos, blood and violence wrapped in a deranged love story of sorts. Barker has a great visual style that makes me eager to see what he does next.
In addition to the film this release offers bonus content including commentary and a featurette taking audiences behind the scenes of bringing this insanity to life. Prepare to be obsessed with Obsession available now on digital and then on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD on July 14th from Universal Home Entertainment.
