Obsession Teaser Drops: 2026’s Darkest Comedy-Horror Unveiled

One of next year’s most talked-about thrillers has just released its first promo, and it’s already got locals buzzing. From the mind behind the unsettling YouTube hit Milk & Serial comes a new tale that explores what happens when a bloke’s wish for love takes a seriously twisted turn.

First Look at Curry Barker’s Latest Flick

Focus Features has rolled out the official teaser for Curry Barker’s Obsession, set to land in cinemas on 15 May 2026. The film’s already scored a whopping 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling it pure “nightmare fuel” that’s not afraid to take the mickey. The teaser introduces punters to a young bloke who stumbles across a “One Wish Willow”—a mysterious item that grants a single desire. He uses it to win over his crush, but soon starts to wonder if their feelings are genuine. Things quickly spiral into darker territory from there.

The cast features Michael Johnston (My Oni Girl), Inde Navarrette (Superman and Lois), Cooper Tomlinson (Treasure Trackers), Megan Lawless (The Hate U Give), and Andy Richter (Conan). Curry Barker, who wrote and directed the film, is known for his earlier work on Milk & Serial and shorts like Striking Gold, Warnings, and The Chair.

Plot and Official Logline

The official blurb sums it up:

After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.

Obsession follows a young man’s journey as he gets what he wants, only to realise that some wishes are better left ungranted. The story quickly shifts from light-hearted to deeply unsettling, keeping viewers on their toes.

Critical Response and Festival Buzz

While some horror fans might already know Barker from his online work, critics reckon Obsession is the one that’ll put him on the map for a wider crowd. Matt Donato, writing for IGN, said the film “should and will put Barker on the map as a horror filmmaker you need to watch with this addictive sour Valentine’s Day counterprogramming.”

After its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, Geek Vibes Nation called it “one of the biggest standouts” of the event, giving a nod to Navarrette’s performance and Barker’s confident direction and writing.

Mixing Chills with Laughs

One thing that’s got everyone talking is how the film manages to juggle dark themes with a good dose of humour. Germain Lussier from io9 pointed out that the film had him “laughing out loud,” but also left him “legitimately terrified.”

Alex Papaioannou from InSession Film was especially impressed by the way Barker ties everything together for a finale that’s hard to forget: “With its deeply dark sense of humour, the final moments of this film will leave genre fans walking out of the theatre eagerly anticipating Barker’s next foray into genre filmmaking.”

Release Details and Cast

Obsession is set for release on 6 September 2025, with a runtime of 108 minutes. Curry Barker takes on both writing and directing duties, with Christian Mercuri, James Harris, Mark Lane, and Roman Viaris producing. The cast includes Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, and Megan Lawless.