Official Trailer
Rating: 8.1/10 | Genre: Horror | Runtime: 108 min
Starring: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy Richter
Obsession is the kind of horror movie that knows exactly what it’s doing, and it does it well. Michael Johnston plays a guy who breaks this mysterious tree called the One Wish Willow to impress his crush, and then everything goes sideways in the best possible way. The movie takes that simple premise and actually commits to it, which is refreshing.
The first act moves fast. Johnston’s character is awkward and desperate in a way that feels real, not like some caricature of a sad guy. Inde Navarrette plays the crush he’s obsessed with, and there’s genuine chemistry between them that makes his desperation feel earned rather than creepy. When he finally gets what he wants, you almost feel happy for him. Almost. Then the movie flips and that’s where it gets interesting.
What I loved most about this movie is that it doesn’t just make his wishes come true in a boring way. There’s actual weight to it. The consequences build slowly at first, then faster. By the halfway point you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop because you know something’s wrong. The tone shift is handled really well. It’s not jarring or unearned, which is harder to pull off than you’d think.
The horror elements work because the movie spent time making you care about these characters. Cooper Tomlinson shows up as Johnston’s friend and he’s funny enough to make the early scenes breathe a little, but he also gives you someone to worry about. Andy Richter has a smaller role but his presence adds weight to some key scenes. Megan Lawless plays Johnston’s ex and there’s this one scene between them that made me genuinely uncomfortable. That’s when I knew the movie had its hooks in me.
The pacing is solid for the full 108 minutes. It doesn’t overstay its welcome, which matters for horror. Some of these movies get bloated in the third act, but this one keeps momentum. The last twenty minutes are tense in a way that actually made me lean forward.
If I had to nitpick, some of the visual effects in the final act feel a bit rushed. There are moments where you can tell the budget hit a wall. It’s not bad enough to ruin anything, but it’s noticeable. The ending also leaves you hanging in a way that I get but some people might find frustrating.
The real strength here is that Obsession takes a familiar concept and actually explores it. It’s not asking “what if wishes came true,” it’s asking “what if you got exactly what you deserved.” That’s a darker question and the movie’s not afraid to answer it.
The Verdict
This is a solid horror movie that deserves more attention than it’ll probably get. It’s got good performances, smart pacing, and it respects its audience enough to let the story breathe. An 8.1 rating feels right. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s the kind of movie you’ll actually remember after watching it.
Have you seen Obsession yet? What did you think of how it handled the whole wish fulfillment angle? Did the ending work for you or did it leave you wanting more?
Where to Watch
Streaming availability varies by region. Check your favorite streaming platform to see if this title is available in your country.
