Obsession | TIFF50

Horror fans unite! There’s a new cult classic on the block that you don’t want to miss. Haunting and disturbing, uncomfortably funny, and a searing exploration of toxic masculinity and abusive relationships, Obsession is an expertly crafted ride that is a must see.

Obsession opens with a close up on a face, one that we will get to know very well over the next hour and a half. The face we see is that of Bear (Michael Johnston), quintessential nice guy, who has been pining over his best friend of years, Nikki (Inde Navarette). This unrequited (turned toxic) love sets the backdrop for the wild fantastical ride that we go on in this film. The film explores a twisted wish gone wrong, and the age old trope of “be careful what you wish for” with a fresh and unique edge.

The enchantment of this film hinges on effective, nuanced performances - and Obsession has that in spades. Johnston effectively straddles the line between hopeless yearner and sinister “nice guy”. Navarrette is show stopping - she is masterful at playing the nuance of a person caught between worlds, feelings, consciousnesses and more. Her quick shifts in mood and tone, from doting lover to chaos demon kept me on the edge of my seat, anxious (and terrified) to see what she would do next.

Obsession balances tone, metaphor and tension expertly. All aspects of the film converge to completely immerse you in the fantastical horrifying tale that ensues. There are scenes in this film that will stick with me for a very long time - in other word, they are permanently seared into my brain. The sound design is visceral and disturbing - it is all encompassing in a way that makes you unable to retreat or turn away, forcing you to confront the disturbing series of events that you’ve just witnessed.

Throughout the film I found myself thinking a lot about the patriarchy and toxic masculinity. The familiar turns of phrases that uphold these systems - "smile more...but not too much", "love me the most... but also be a chill, cool girl". In these systems women and femmes can't win - don't be too aloof, but also don't be too needy, be your own person but also act according to my needs. The film shows how quickly when presented with an opportunity even a "nice guy" will discard you for their own gain. I was reminded how the patriarchy compels some men to think of themselves and their needs rather than the autonomy and needs of others. It reminds me of the the wreckage that is often left in their wake. I thought of how, even unintentionally, out of a desire for love, out of fear, and so much more, we will bend, twist, contort, and literally lose ourselves for attention of another. The system enchants and brings those harmed by it under its spell.

I also thought about another side of that coin. Abuse and how it manifests, how it silences, makes you deeply anxious, terrified of a misstep, a perceived mistake. The film drops us directly into that uneasiness, terrified of what might come next.

Obsession takes the manifestation of these concepts to ultimate extremes, in a thrilling, sometimes (uncomfortably) hilarious and often horrifying ride. It's one that will be on mind for quite a while. Horror fans, I think we’ve got a new cult classic on our hands.