Obsession

Today I watched Obsession, and I have a lot to say about it. Putting aside the experience I had at the theater (the screening room was terrible, and the audience was so unbearable that they barely let me watch or even hear the film), Obsession is a masterpiece, surprisingly made as the debut feature of Curry Barker. I have to say, he impressed me as a director. The film not only works incredibly well, but it is carefully constructed from every possible angle, to the point where it feels deeply personal. And that is what makes it so spectacular: the dedication Barker pours into this film is incredible. One of the things I loved most was the mise-en-scène. Everything that is shown—absolutely everything—revolves around the main plot and never feels disconnected from it. The symbolism used to portray Nikki as nothing more than a possessed “body” is brilliantly expressed through the shadows that dominate almost all of her dialogue scenes. The soundtrack also had a huge impact on me. It blends a melancholy that feels both old and unfamiliar, creating an atmosphere that is surreal and unsettling, yet somehow comforting and pleasant at the same time. This works perfectly because it adds so much to the film’s suspense. It gives you chills, but the kind that feel strangely enjoyable, as if nothing bad is going to happen, while the tension steadily rises along with the uneasiness of the music. Then it abruptly cuts off, and the scene hits with incredible force. The film does this several times, and I absolutely loved it because it always feels fresh and works remarkably well. The story is fascinating. Its exploration of desire and everything that comes with it is handled extremely well, leading down an excellent path of consequences and a deconstruction of what we truly want and why we long for it so intensely. What makes it feel fresh is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet it still does when it matters. It makes risky choices that work perfectly because they are not trying to be the center of attention; instead, they are clever ideas that come and go while retaining their impact. A good example is the scene where money falls from the sky after Ian makes his wish. It combines the tension, disappointment, and intensity of the main narrative with an absurd moment that, despite contributing almost nothing to the immediate problem, feels fantastic. I also want to highlight the aspect ratio. I really liked the proportions that were used, and the performances—wow, the performances. For now, I need some time to fully digest the film before giving it a rating, but overall, I had a great time with this movie. An excellent film.