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Curry Barker's “Obsession” Hits US Theaters After TIFF Premiere

5/11/2026

Summary

Curry Barker Releases Obsession

Curry Barker releases the thriller “Obsession” in U.S. theaters on May 15.
“Obsession” premiered at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival before its theatrical debut.
Michael Johnston, Megan Lawless, Cooper Tomlinson and Inde Navarrette star in “Obsession”.
Critics call the film a grim-humor cautionary tale that flips toxic-masculinity tropes.
Barker’s prior 62-minute found-footage film “Milk and Serial” was made for $800 and uploaded to YouTube for free.

Summary

Barker Lands Funding

Focus Features paid $15 million for “Obsession,” the highest price ever for a genre film at TIFF.
“Anything But Ghosts” was produced on a $5 million budget, the most Barker has ever spent.
Jason Blum, known for “Get Out,” joined as producer after the TIFF premiere.
A24 announced Barker will write and direct its reboot of the “Texas Chain Saw Massacre.”

Summary

Barker Crafts Horror

Barker draws on his sketch-comedy background to craft the horror script “Anything But Ghosts,” blending humor.
He credits Aaron Sorkin’s MasterClass lesson on the final fifteen minutes for shaping his endings.
He applies South Park’s “but therefore” method and the “Save the Cat!” guide while writing.
Barker and Tomlinson run the YouTube duo “that’s a bad idea,” with Barker cameoing on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” but not in “Obsession.”

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Curry Barker Releases Obsession

Curry Barker releases the thriller “Obsession” in U.S. theaters on May 15.
“Obsession” premiered at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival before its theatrical debut.
Michael Johnston, Megan Lawless, Cooper Tomlinson and Inde Navarrette star in “Obsession”.
Critics call the film a grim-humor cautionary tale that flips toxic-masculinity tropes.
Barker’s prior 62-minute found-footage film “Milk and Serial” was made for $800 and uploaded to YouTube for free.

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