Pop Commentary

I think the new horror movie “Obsession” is so successful because it plays on multiple fears. Yes, on its face, it’s about an obsessive girlfriend who does insane things to her boyfriend in the name of “love,” but what’s scarier is putting yourself in the shoes of the woman who loses all of her autonomy.

The film is about a man who uses a mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart and he gets exactly what he asks for, but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark and sinister price.

What I liked best about the movie was the unique premise and how it indirectly commented on the importance of consent and a person’s right to choose their own partner.

I also loved the performances of the two lead actors. Michael Johnston did a great job showing the man’s emotional journey of understanding the consequences of his actions. And Inde Navarrette did a fabulous job playing the possessed girlfriend with little glimpses of the terrified woman inside.

My biggest complaint about the movie is that it took a little too long for the action to really ramp up. The first hour moved pretty slowly and I think it could have been edited together more concisely.

I also just kept thinking of ways that the main character could have remedied the situation. Specifically, I wanted him to find a random person on the street to make a wish to reverse his wish. I think they would have been easier to convince than his friend since they had no skin in the game.

With all that said, I thought “Obsession” was really effective, and I’d recommend it if you like a good horror movie that will stick with you long after it ends.