Studios Offered $2M to Fix Obsession. The Director Said No.

By The Backlot

@backlotfriends

A teenage boy sits in a darkened car at night examining a small circular object, while a shadowy figure stands visible through the rain-streaked window behind him.

A 26-year-old from Alabama shot a horror film in 26 days on $750,000. It made $458 million.

When Obsession sold at TIFF in September 2025, studios came calling. Multiple companies offered $2 million combined to rewrite the lead Bear into a more likable hero. Director Curry Barker said no. He wanted Bear morally complicated.

The film opened May 15. Week two grew instead of dropped. That week-over-week growth tied a record untouched since E.T. in 1982.

Michael Johnston plays Bear. He's from Teen Wolf. His real-life sketch comedy partner Cooper Tomlinson plays the best friend. The One Wish Willow concept came from the Simpsons monkey's paw episode.

It's on Peacock and Prime Video now. People on Backlot have been watching it.

Quick Facts

Studios Offered $2M to Fix Obsession. The Director Said No.

DirectorCurry Barker

CastMichael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy Richter

GenreHorror, Thriller

Release2026-05-15

Runtime109 min

Rated8.3/10

Instagram caption

Curry Barker shot Obsession in 26 days. Studios offered $2M to soften the lead. He said no. It made $458 million. On Peacock now. #Obsession #Backlot

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Curry Barker shot Obsession on $750K in 26 days. Studios offered $2M to soften the lead. He said no. It made $458M. #Obsession #Backlot

A 26-year-old from Alabama shot a horror film in 26 days on $750,000. It made $458 million.

The film opened May 15. Week two grew instead of dropped. That week-over-week growth tied a record untouched since E.T. in 1982.

Michael Johnston plays Bear. He's from Teen Wolf. His real-life sketch comedy partner Cooper Tomlinson plays the best friend. The One Wish Willow concept came from the Simpsons monkey's paw episode.

It's on Peacock and Prime Video now. People on Backlot have been watching it.