Obsession

I know there’s a lot of love for this film and I’m not unique, but for me it really hits the spot in basically all areas. Watching this for the first time was one of my greatest and most stand out experiences in a cinema, and I don’t remember a film that’s filled me with that much dread/anxiety in a while. I didn’t totally get the hype for project Hail Mary which I thought could happen here, but this really exceeded my very high expectations. Obviously Inde’s performance is just mental and perhaps horrors greatest in recent years; her expressions and instantaneous emotive switches are ridiculously impressive and super creepy. And the lead as Bear was brilliant too - them being unknown adding a nice element. It’s visually really good looking and the music’s brilliant (particularly ‘forever’ at the end of the film, right up there for me for all time songs which massively added to the end feeling). I just love ‘the mind of Curry Barker’ and have been watching his short films too, which I’ve found very enjoyable. He’s got an original voice & perspective, and scares you in a very creative and unique way playing off the uncanny and bizarre. The awkwardness is also pretty excruciating at times and is a great tool for the general uncomfortableness throughout the film. And having seen Curry’s comedy sketches online, it really shines through in this with many laugh out loud moments; even the most horrific death scene you can’t help but laugh as it’s just completely insane. It balances humour with horror nicely but ultimately doesn’t take away from the dread. Some criticisms have been about the film portraying Bear to be the victim and not Nikki, as it tackles seriously dark themes to do with rape, and they didn’t go into the victim hood of Nikki enough. But I haven’t heard anyone disagree that Bear is the films villain and that’s no mistake from Barker. I think as it’s from Bears perspective and he seems nice at the beginning, this makes you want to relate to his situation earlier on - until you can’t relate anymore. But it’s very clear Nikki is the victim and it’s all about Bears obsession of wanting to possess and control her. Another criticism is stupid decisions, which I think’s missing the point that Bear doesn’t represent us and isn’t behaving normally, and of course it is a horror film. Lastly, Nikki behaves the way she does because she’s being held captive and doesn’t truly want this deep down. There’s a lot to discuss about obsession which is another reason I love it. Did she like him before? What would you have done or wished for? What happens after the credits roll? It’s very inspiring to see someone get recognised from a YouTube short film and it lead to all this and it makes me want to start making films more consistently. I’ll look forward to seeing what comes in the future.