The horror film "Obsession," a breakout box office success, delves into the dark side of romance and obsession with its unique blend of supernatural elements and psychological drama. The movie, now available on premium VOD, centers on a young man named Bear who makes a wish with potentially devastating consequences.
Bear, a shy young man working at a music shop with his longtime friend Nikki, harbors a deep crush on her. Urged by a mutual friend, Ian, Bear purchases a novelty item called a One Wish Willow, initially intended as a gift for Nikki. Instead, he makes a wish that Nikki would love him more than anyone else in the world. Immediately following the wish, Nikki's affection for Bear intensifies dramatically, shifting from friendship to an all-consuming devotion.
However, it quickly becomes apparent that this is not the genuine Nikki. Glitchy moments suggest the real Nikki is trapped within her own body, while an external force acts out a mission to obsess over Bear. This possessive entity exhibits behaviors that are both out of character for Nikki and outside the bounds of normal human interaction. These disturbing acts include creating a gruesome memorial for Bear's dead cat using its remains and later cooking the remains for his lunch. The possessed Nikki also becomes fixated on Bear, waiting for him constantly and watching him sleep, eventually murdering their friend Sarah out of jealousy.
The film plays with the stereotype of a clingy, possessive girlfriend, presenting Nikki's behavior through a grotesque and sometimes darkly comedic lens. However, the true horror lies not in the threat Nikki poses to Bear, but in the violation of her own self and body by the controlling force. Some viewers have interpreted the film through a "crazy-girlfriend" trope, overlooking that it is not the real Nikki acting out.
The Tragic Climax
Following Sarah's murder, Bear realizes the gravity of his wish and the need to reverse it. He obtains more One Wish Willows and attempts to get Ian to use one to undo his wish, as Bear himself cannot make a second wish. Ian, skeptical of the toy's power, instead wishes for a billion dollars, which is instantly granted. With one willow remaining, Bear tries to convince Nikki to wish away her possession, but she refuses and shoots Ian when he appears at Bear's apartment.
In despair, Bear attempts to overdose on pills, having been informed by the One Wish Willow customer service that his death would end the wish. At the last moment, he tries to reverse his decision and vomit the pills. At this critical juncture, the possessed Nikki finds the final One Wish Willow and seemingly wishes for Bear's devotion to her. This wish comes true, interrupting Bear's attempt to save himself. He slumps over, dead from the overdose. Nikki, preparing to join him in suicide, is shocked out of her possession by Bear's death, and the real Nikki returns, horrified by the scene.
Lingering Questions
The ending of "Obsession" offers a grim resolution, akin to a "Romeo and Juliet" scenario where not all survive. Bear faces consequences for his selfish wish, and while Nikki is left alive, she is deeply scarred. The film leaves some ambiguities, particularly concerning the real Nikki's awareness of the events while possessed. Moments suggest she may have had brief periods of consciousness or awareness, begging Bear to kill her at one point. The extent to which she was a prisoner within her own body remains a chilling question.
Another question revolves around the possibility of undoing the wish without tragic consequences. The film implies that Bear's sacrifice was necessary to restore Nikki's personhood, leaving open the possibility that any attempt to undo the wish through a third party might result in unforeseen negative outcomes. The narrative suggests that Bear's fate was sealed early on, contributing to his limited character development as he was trapped by his own wish.