Obsession

There’s so much I loved about this. What really impressed me is how the tension comes from actual filmmaking instead of relying on cheap modern horror tricks. The editing, lighting, blocking, pacing, all of it works together so well to create this suffocating atmosphere that just keeps getting more intense as it goes on. The sound design and synth score are incredible too, especially with the way the movie abruptly cuts into silence at certain moments. It genuinely got under my skin. Inde Navarrette is absolutely the standout here. The entire movie depends on her performance landing and she completely carries it. She’s terrifying, vulnerable, funny, and emotionally exhausting all at once. One of the best horror performances I’ve seen in a while honestly. I also really appreciated that the movie wasn’t afraid to get nasty and uncomfortable with its premise. It constantly traps you inside Bear’s perspective while still making you feel disgusted by his actions, which creates this really uneasy tension throughout. Some of the scariest moments are honestly the brief glimpses into Nikki’s experience and what this all actually feels like for her. The premise was already great, but the execution is what really made it work for me. It could’ve fallen into so many predictable horror tropes and instead it takes a lot of bold swings that mostly pay off. One of the best horror films I’ve seen in a long time and easily a standout directorial debut. This is definitely going to stick with me.