Obsession Officially Makes This DC Star An Instant Horror Icon

by

Inde Navarrette has become a fan favorite thanks to her role in Superman & Lois. She received a lot of praise for her portrayal of Sarah Cushing, Lana Lang’s daughter and Jordan Kent’s former girlfriend, on the popular CW series. Now 25, Navarrette is showcasing her acting skills again in the new series, Obsession.

Let me tell you, Navarrette is absolutely phenomenal in Obsession, one of the most talked-about horror films of 2026. She’s always been great at showing genuine emotion, but this role lets her tap into a much darker side, and the results are stunning. Seriously, people are already saying this performance could be one of the most unforgettable and intensely gripping in horror history – and I’m inclined to agree!

Obsession Is A Chaotic Cautionary Tale Of Love Gone Wrong

Following a growing pattern of successful YouTubers becoming horror directors – like Danny and Michael Philippou, who created popular films such as Talk to Me and Bring Her Back – comes Curry Barker. Like the Philippou brothers, Barker began by posting comedic sketches online with his partner, Cooper Tomlinson, known together as “that’s a bad idea.” They then used their channel to showcase their spooky short films, including the critically acclaimed The Chair, and Barker’s 62-minute found footage horror film, Milk and Serial.

Okay, so I just heard about this new movie called Obsession and it sounds wild. It’s the first feature film from a director named Barker, and it’s coming out May 15th – Focus Features is distributing, with Blumhouse helping out, which immediately got my attention. The story centers around this kinda clumsy guy in his twenties, Baron (everyone calls him Bear), played by Michael Johnston – you might recognize him from Teen Wolf. He’s got a crush on a coworker, Nikki (Inde Navarrette), and he makes a wish using this weird little gadget hoping she’ll feel the same way. And… it actually works. But, naturally, things go horribly wrong after that. Sounds like a fun, creepy ride!

As a huge movie fan, I’ve definitely seen the ‘be careful what you wish for’ trope explored a lot – think of classics like Jacob’s Ladder or even more recent films like Wish Upon. But Obsession really impressed me. It takes that familiar ‘Monkey’s Paw’ idea and feels surprisingly new. It premiered at TIFF in 2025 to a fantastic response, and the critics clearly agreed – it ended up with a whopping 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes!

The key to the film’s success is its serious approach to the strange, supernatural story, even when Curry’s sharp wit appears. This humor never feels jarring, and actually makes the unsettling moments more intense. Equally impressive is how authentically – and disturbingly – the film portrays the central, unhealthy relationship, despite its fantastical elements. Ultimately, though, Obsession wouldn’t be remembered as a standout film of its era without a compelling performance from its female lead.

Inde Navarrette Is A Petrifying Powerhouse In Obsession

It’s rare for an actor to deliver a performance that instantly makes them famous, but Inde Navarrette has done just that in Obsession. Their work in the film is a standout, achieving a level of recognition most actors only hope for.

The actress’s performance is central to the film’s impact, especially her depiction of Nikki. Nikki’s personality changes drastically and disturbingly after Bear wishes she would love him above all else. The incredibly sudden and unsettling transformation from a sweet, charming girl to a terrifying and obsessive girlfriend is portrayed with remarkable skill and nuance.

The film uses lighting to dramatically alter Nikki’s appearance, a feat director Curry Barker and cinematographer Taylor Clemons deserve recognition for. However, this effect wouldn’t be so powerful without Navarrette’s dedicated performance. What’s truly remarkable is that she portrays the altered, disturbed version of Nikki as a victim, not a villain – making it clear that she suffers just as much, if not more, from Bear’s selfishness, as the wish strips her of her very self.

The performance in Obsession is truly award-worthy – something that once seemed unlikely. However, with Michael B. Jordan from Sinners and Amy Madigan from Weapons both receiving nominations in 2026, an Academy Award for Navarrette now feels possible. Even if she doesn’t win, she’s already cemented her status as a beloved leading lady in the thriller genre and earned a special place with fans.

It’s common for both critics and movie fans to avoid overly praising new horror films, even if they genuinely like them. This is because horror relies so much on personal feelings of fear, and excessive praise often leads to disappointment. But with the new film Obsession, the positive buzz is actually justified.

This movie is remarkably well-made, with a perfect flow, haunting visuals, and a strangely realistic portrayal of unhealthy relationships, punctuated by humor that’s both funny and unsettling. Even viewers who don’t find Obsession as thrilling as others will likely agree that Inde Navarrette delivers a flawless performance in the role of Nikki – a truly inspired casting choice.

Read More

2026-05-13 23:08