20 Incredible Modern Horror Movies That Came Out Of NOWHERE
1. Obsession
2026’s Obsession is likely the horror movie success story of the decade.
Beyond garnering widespread acclaim, YouTuber-turned-renowned filmmaker Curry Barker’s romantic twist on the age-old monkey’s paw tale became a viral sensation over the summer. In addition to spawning countless written/video essays and social media spoofs, it’s now one of the most profitable movies ever made and a major part of this year’s Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights!
It’s not difficult to see why, either, given the picture’s terrifically acted and constructed shocks and social commentaries.
Whereas the trailer(s) implied that Michael Johnston’s Bear would be the victim and Inde Navarrette’s Nikki would be the villain, the opposite is true.
Basically, the real Nikki is trapped within her body and helpless to stop the erratic and violent actions of the entity possessing her. Meanwhile, Bear – one of her closest and most trusted friends – ignores red flags, his buddies’ advice, and the real Nikki’s pleas to end her suffering so that he can maintain his selfish delusions about Nikki’s affections and subjugation.
Barker fills his film with unsettling details and implications to discover as well, including ending Obsession in pretty much the most realistically grim way possible to drive home how much Bear has ruined Nikki’s life forever.
The result is a strikingly necessary glimpse into modern heterosexual male loneliness and romantic/sexual entitlement (among other things). Even people who knew Barker's prior work were blown away by Obsession's clever nuances, striking scares, and relevant insights.