The horror genre is a tricky beast, and it's easy to get lost in the sea of jump scares and gore. But every now and then, a film comes along that truly terrifies, leaving a lasting impression long after the credits roll. Such is the case with Curry Barker's 'Obsession', a film that has been generating buzz on the festival circuit and is now making its way to audiences worldwide. It's a smart, stylish, and terrifying addition to the horror canon, and it's got me thinking about one of the genre's most influential directors: Kiyoshi Kurosawa.
Kurosawa's 'Pulse' (2001) is a techno-nightmare that made our list of the 15 Most Disturbing Horror Movies. It's a film that, like 'Obsession', knows how to play with our fears and keep us on the edge of our seats. One of the most chilling scenes in 'Pulse' involves a character coming face-to-face with a ghostly woman who moves towards him out of the darkness. The scene is a masterpiece of tension and suspense, forcing us to watch the ghost slowly move closer and closer, her movements uncanny and jarring. It's a scene that has stayed with me ever since, and it's one that 'Obsession' seems to pay homage to.
In 'Obsession', Bear (Michael Johnston) makes a wish that his lifelong crush, Nikki (Inde Navarrette), will love him more than anyone else in the world. The wish comes true, but with terrifying consequences. Nikki's behavior grows more unhinged and scary as she fawns over Bear, and it's in one of the film's early scenes that the comparison to 'Pulse' becomes clear. When Bear wakes up in the middle of the night, he finds Nikki, shrouded in shadowy darkness, standing in the corner of the room watching him. It's a scene that mirrors the 'Pulse' ghost, who also remains shrouded in darkness, her movements uncanny and jarring.
What makes 'Obsession' particularly fascinating is the way it plays with our expectations. We expect horror to rely on jump scares and gore, but Barker's film takes a different approach. It's a smart script that knows how to build tension and keep us guessing, and it's a testament to Barker's skill as a filmmaker. In my opinion, 'Obsession' is one of the best horror movies of the year, and it's a film that will stay with me for a long time to come. It's a reminder that sometimes, the scariest things are the ones that play with our fears and keep us on the edge of our seats, rather than relying on cheap tricks and special effects.
As an expert in the field, I can't help but think about the impact of 'Obsession' on the horror genre. It's a film that shows that horror can be intelligent, stylish, and terrifying all at once. It's a reminder that sometimes, the scariest things are the ones that play with our fears and keep us on the edge of our seats, rather than relying on cheap tricks and special effects. So, if you're a horror fan, I highly recommend giving 'Obsession' a chance. It's a film that will keep you up at night, and it's one that will stay with you for a long time to come.
