Obsession(2025)

This was very fucked up, but ironically it also stayed a little too safe and ended up over familiar. Between that and the excess of eerie music and jump scares, it didn’t quite meet my expectations given the glowing reviews. 

Being in a codependent relationship with an overly controlling and possessive partner is a nightmare, sure, but what else is new? In the past couple years alone we’ve already had Pearl and Together, which explore related themes with greater nuance and better execution. 

What I would have loved to see explored more was Bear’s guilt over claiming love that he didn’t deserve, or just the burden of receiving smothering amounts of affection over long periods of time, without it veering into actual abuse. This film actually touched on both of those ideas but ultimately played it safe instead of actually going after them. 

Overall though, it’s still an entertaining film that will keep you on the edge of your seat, if only because you are always wondering when Nikki would burst out a bone-chilling scream at any given moment. It’s also pretty funny (get ready for all the memes that’ll for sure come out of this). If conditions allow, I would recommend watching this in the company of someone who rejected you, for maximum immersion.