Obsession has emerged as one of 2026’s early horror contenders, and the first teaser offers a measured glimpse into why the film has been gaining attention on the festival circuit. Written and directed by Curry Barker, the project marks a notable jump from his viral, shoestring-budget found-footage feature Milk & Serial, which circulated widely online for its inventive approach despite being produced for just $800. With Obsession, Barker is working with a comparatively modest but far more flexible $1 million budget, giving him room to build a more polished second feature without losing the intimate scale that defined his early work.
The teaser centers on Michael Johnston — known to many viewers from Teen Wolf — whose character calls a customer support line for a product called One Wish Willow. The conversation is matter-of-fact and quiet rather than sensational. He asks whether the wish can be changed and whether the feelings it creates are real. The voice on the other end reassures him that choosing the wish doesn’t make the outcome any less authentic, a line that lingers before the title card appears. It’s a restrained setup that hints at an increasingly common theme in contemporary horror: desire fulfilled in ways that feel transactional or artificial, and the unease that follows.
Plot information released alongside the trailer adds clarity. Johnston’s character uses One Wish Willow — an object that grants a single wish — to make his crush reciprocate his feelings. The immediate result feels ideal, but the relationship soon drifts into unsettling territory as her behavior shifts. Barker has mentioned drawing inspiration from The Simpsons’ “Treehouse of Horror II,” specifically the monkey paw storyline where seemingly straightforward wishes spiral into unintended consequences. The influence isn’t subtle, but the film appears to use it as a starting point rather than a template.
Obsession debuted in the Midnight Madness program at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it drew strong early reviews. Focus Features acquired distribution rights for a reported sum above $15 million, and Jason Blum joined the project as an executive producer — an indication that established industry players see commercial potential in Barker’s work. Early reactions have centered on the film’s script, which critics say manages a steady balance between horror and humor without faltering in the final act, a common challenge in genre filmmaking. With a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes at this stage, the film is being discussed not only as a standout horror entry but as one of the more effective genre hybrids of the year.
Barker already has a follow-up in development titled Anything but Ghosts, a project he will direct, co-write, and star in. Producers Jason Blum, Steven Schneider, and Roy Lee are attached, signaling continuing interest from companies invested in genre filmmaking. Barker’s ascent also reflects a broader shift in which online creators — including the Philippou brothers with Talk to Me and Chris Stuckmann with Shelby Oaks — are finding footholds in mainstream production. The Obsession trailer suggests Barker may be positioned to build on that momentum, offering a concept that aims for character-driven tension rather than relying solely on shock value.
