Story perspectives

‘Obsession’ Stars Navarrette, Subverts Stalker Trope

5/22/2026

Summary

Navarrette Subverts Trope

Obsession, released in 2025 and now in theaters, stars Inde Navarrette as Nikki and also features Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless and Andy Richter.
Navarrette said she spent time with the role to portray Nikki as a girl whose intentions differ from Bear’s.
Director Curry Barker flips the obsessive-stalker trope, making Bear the catalyst and framing story as a metaphor for toxic male entitlement.

Summary

Bear’s Fatal Love

The magical novelty stick forces Nikki’s love, causing the wish to backfire and the entity inside her to become violently hostile to intervening friends.
Michael Johnston (actor) portrays Bear with anxious, damp-eyed vulnerability that elicits early pity.
Johnston layers a nice-guy façade that cracks into selfish complacency as Bear shifts from triumphant romance to panic-filled desperation.
The climax ends in a blood-soaked tragedy that emphasizes Bear’s destructive grasp for love.

Summary

Barker Heightens Tension

Director Barker avoids jump scares and uses prolonged silences to heighten tension.
He frames scenes claustrophobically to mirror Nikki’s growing psychological confinement.
The cinematography shifts from warm romance tones to cold, desaturated hues as Nikki’s mental state deteriorates.
Strategic lighting highlights Nikki’s eyes at the moment she surrenders agency, signifying her loss of self.
Camera lingers on uncomfortable spaces, forcing viewers to confront Bear’s entitlement without distraction.

Summary

Navarrette Headlines Thriller

The horror film Obsession earned about $28 million worldwide, roughly 21 times its $750,000-$1 million budget in its opening weekend.
Navarrette, born in Tucson to a Mexican father and Australian mother, grew up in Visalia, moved to Los Angeles, and previously played Sarah Cushing on The CW’s Superman & Lois, Denton’s Death Date and season 4 of 13 Reasons Why.
Navarrette is set to headline the upcoming thriller Invertigo, expanding her repertoire beyond horror.

1 of 4

Navarrette Subverts Trope

Obsession, released in 2025 and now in theaters, stars Inde Navarrette as Nikki and also features Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless and Andy Richter.
Navarrette said she spent time with the role to portray Nikki as a girl whose intentions differ from Bear’s.
Director Curry Barker flips the obsessive-stalker trope, making Bear the catalyst and framing story as a metaphor for toxic male entitlement.

1 / 4