This is a spoiler-filled review and discussion of Obsession (2026), directed by Curry Barker and starring Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston, covering the film's themes, performances, and ending.
Obsession is finally on digital — and Inde Navarrette's performance as Nikki is going to haunt you. Brian and John are joined by returning guest Jordan the Grey Witch to break down Curry Barker's indie horror hit that's outgrossing studio tentpoles on a fraction of the budget — including why Bear might have the most punchable face in horror this year.
We cover why this "nice guy" is actually the real monster of the movie, the wish-stick logic and how it compares to Monkey's Paw-style horror, our favorite "holy sh*t" scenes, how Obsession stacks up against Twilight Zone's "The Chaser" and Tales from the Crypt, and why original horror is quietly beating the box office right now. Plus: our Letterboxd reviews segment — including a trivia-night warning you need to hear.
No spoiler-free zone here — full spoilers ahead once we get past the setup, so watch or listen to the movie first if you're avoiding them.
Obsession (2026) | Director: Curry Barker | Starring: Inde Navarrette, Michael Johnston, Cooper Tomlinson | Genre: Horror | Runtime: 110 min | Rating: R
Chapters:
0:00 - Cold Open: "Bear Has a Punchable Face"
0:15 - Welcome + Obsession Hits Digital
2:46 - Why Indie Horror Is Beating Studio Blockbusters
5:20 - Episode Setup
5:54 - Obsession Synopsis (Spoiler-Free)
7:22 - Behind the Scenes: The Art Director Pay Controversy
13:17 - The Real Villain: Bear's Nice-Guy Entitlement
25:42 - The Wish Stick: MacGuffin Logic and Rules
28:17 - What Would You Wish For?
32:53 - Holy Sh*t Moments: Our Favorite Scenes
47:19 - The Ending Explained
51:26 - Obsession vs. Tales from the Crypt and Twilight Zone
55:35 - Nikki vs. Pearl: Comparing Horror's Best Unhinged Performances
1:00:24 - Letterboxd Reviews (Do NOT Do Trivia)
1:07:32 - What's New With the Hosts
1:09:48 - Where to Find Everyone
1:10:57 - Sign Off
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FAQ
Is Obsession based on a true story? No — it's an original story inspired by "be careful what you wish for" horror like The Monkey's Paw.
Who plays Nikki in Obsession? Inde Navarrette.
Who plays Bear in Obsession? Michael Johnston.
Is Obsession scary? Yes — we break down why in this episode, including Navarrette's performance and the film's most unsettling scenes.
What does the ending of Obsession mean? We explain it in detail starting at 47:19.
Guest: Jordan the Grey Witch — find her on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @JordanTheGreyWitch
https://www.tiktok.com/@jordanthegreywitch https://bsky.app/profile/jordanthegreywitch.bsky.social https://www.instagram.com/jordandwayne/
Inde Navarrette's performance in this movie is unreal. And can we talk about Bear having the most punchable face in horror? Let us know what you thought of Curry Barker's Obsession.
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