The hit horror film "Obsession," currently available for purchase and rental on digital platforms, is an original work of fiction and not based on a true story, according to writer and director Curry Barker. The film, which has garnered significant attention and achieved over $400 million at the worldwide box office, stars Michael Johnston as Bear, a music shop employee who uses a supernatural object to make his childhood best friend, Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette, fall in love with him.
Barker, also known for his 2024 found-footage horror film "Milk & Serial," stated that the core concept of an obsessive relationship and codependency was an idea he had entertained for some time. However, the specific element of a magical wish that drives the plot was inspired by an episode of "The Simpsons."
"It just happened to be the episode where Bart Simpson has a monkey paw and is making wishes and is wreaking havoc [Season 3, Episode 7, 'Treehouse of Horror II'], and I just was like, ‘Oh, wait, that actually could lend itself really well to this obsession idea that I have,'" Barker explained in an interview with Collider. He further elaborated that while he researched potential wish-granting devices, he ultimately created an original object for the film.
"Obsession" is also not based on any existing book. Barker confirmed it is an original story. However, for audiences seeking similar themes, recommendations for books such as Caroline Kepnes's "You," Liz Lazarus's "Dawn Before Darkness," and Paula Hawkins's "The Girl on the Train" have been suggested by BookTrib.