How an Indie Horror Film Became a Box-Office ‘Obsession’ Curry Barker, a 26-year-old YouTuber-turned-filmmaker, made his horror film “Obsession” in just 20 days on a $750,000 budget. The movie, distributed by Focus Features, is now projected to earn over $79.7 million globally, with $58.5 million coming from North American theaters. This marks a 30% increase in revenue compared to its opening weekend, a rare achievement for a horror film. Jason Blum, a prominent figure in the genre and an executive producer on the film, called the performance “the ONLY wide-release horror film on record to grow in its second weekend at this scale.” Barker’s journey began with his YouTube channel, where he built a following through projects like “Milk and Serial,” a thriller following YouTube pranksters. After “Obsession” premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), studios were so impressed they engaged in a bidding war for the project. Focus Features ultimately acquired the rights for $15 million, a significant milestone for Barker. The film, starring Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette, blends romance and horror, exploring the consequences of unchecked desires. The movie’s success has been bolstered by strong critical and audience reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 95% “Tomatometer” score from critics and a 94% “Popcornmeter” score from viewers. Barker reflected on the shift in filmmaking priorities, noting that uploading films to YouTube was once seen as a last resort. “We’re finally getting to the point where people are like, OK, fine, I’ll put my film on YouTube,” he said. “Versus when I was in film school, that was kind of like a last resort.” Barker’s breakthrough has opened doors to new opportunities.#toronto_international_film_festival #focus_features #curry_barker #jason_blum #milk_and_serial
How ‘Obsession’ Became an Unprecedented Box Office Horror Hit — and One of the Year’s Most Profitable Movies The low-budget horror film Obsession has defied industry expectations by achieving a rare and significant box office surge. In its second weekend, the film earned $23.9 million from 2,655 North American theaters, a 39% increase from its debut weekend of $17.2 million. This brought its total North American gross to $60.7 million and a global total of $75 million, despite being produced for less than $1 million. The film’s success has sparked discussions about the evolving dynamics of horror cinema and the growing appetite for the genre among younger audiences. Directed by YouTube breakout Curry Barker, Obsession follows a hopeless romantic named Bear (Michael Johnston), who makes a Faustian bargain to win the heart of his crush Nikki (Inde Navarrette). The film’s marketing strategy included a viral commercial for the magical device One Wish Willows, a key plot element, which sold out within hours. Cryptic billboards featuring Nikki’s unsettling texts and a phone number for audiences to “text her” further fueled curiosity. These efforts, combined with a wide theatrical release in 2,000 theaters, positioned the film as a commercial play rather than a niche indie release. Industry analysts have called the film’s performance “unheard of,” noting that horror movies typically struggle to maintain momentum after their opening weekend. Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore highlighted the rarity of such a jump, stating, “It’s indicative of audiences embracing the film.” The film’s strong word-of-mouth, evidenced by an “A-” CinemaScore and a 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating, has also contributed to its longevity.#focus_features #curry_barker #michael_johnston #inde_navarrette #obsession
Obsession Filmmaker Curry Barker Sparks Hollywood Interest Amid Record Box Office Success Curry Barker, the 20-year-old YouTuber-turned-filmmaker behind the horror film Obsession, has become a focal point in Hollywood as his movie defied expectations with a record-breaking second weekend performance. The film, which opened with $17.1 million domestically, saw a 39% increase in its second weekend, reaching $23.9 million. By the end of its run, it had grossed $62.3 million domestically, marking the largest second-weekend spike in modern box office history outside of holiday periods. Barker’s meteoric rise has triggered a frenzy among studios, with multiple entities vying for his next project despite his lack of formal industry ties. According to sources, one studio attempted to secure Barker’s next original project with a $10 million preemptive offer, sight unseen. However, the filmmaker’s production banner, Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, holds a first-look deal with Universal Pictures, granting it priority negotiation rights for his future projects. This arrangement reportedly cooled the rival studio’s enthusiasm, though it leaves the door open for competition should Universal and Focus Features, the film’s distributor, fail to act. Barker’s next film, Anything But Ghosts, is already in the editing phase. Co-written with actor Cooper Tomlinson and starring the duo, the project is produced by Blumhouse-Atomic Monster. He also recently closed a deal to write and direct Texas Chainsaw Massacre for A24. Meanwhile, A24 is preparing to release Backrooms, a horror film directed by 20-year-old YouTube filmmaker Kane Parsons, which is expected to open between $45 million and $50 million. That would mark A24’s highest-ever debut.#universal_pictures #a24 #curry_barker #blumhouse_atomic_monster #cooper_tomlinson
Focus Features' 'Obsession' Sparks Horror Mania with Box Office Success The horror film Obsession, written and directed by Curry Barker, stars Michael Johnston as Bear and Inde Navarrette as Nikki. The story follows Bear as he uses a mysterious supernatural toy called the One Wish Willow to make Nikki fall in love with him. However, the toy’s power leads to terrifying and sinister consequences that escalate beyond Bear’s control. The film’s blend of supernatural horror and psychological tension has captivated audiences, with Focus Features aiming to make the movie a cultural phenomenon. The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last fall, where it attracted attention for its unique approach to the horror genre. Following its TIFF debut, Focus Features acquired the film in a deal reportedly worth more than $14 million. The studio later screened the film at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin earlier this year, further building anticipation for its wide release. The film officially opened last week, grossing $17 million in its opening weekend despite a modest production budget of $750,000. Jason Cassidy, vice chairman of Focus Features, praised the film after watching it at a midnight screening during TIFF. He described the movie as having “something to say” and noted its “real thoughtfulness,” calling it a project that aligns with the studio’s goal of creating films that feel “interesting and different.” Cassidy emphasized the film’s ability to balance horror with thematic depth, highlighting its unique storytelling approach. To amplify its marketing, Focus Features launched a campaign that brought the One Wish Willow toy to life. The studio created an official website where fans could purchase the toy, blurring the line between fiction and reality.#toronto_international_film_festival #focus_features #curry_barker #michael_johnston #inde_navarrette
