
The horror movie Obsession is the biggest hit of 2026 so far, drawing large crowds to theaters. It’s been a surprising success, especially considering the director, Curry Barker, was relatively unknown—unless you follow his work on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
Barker is a popular content creator on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, known as that’s a bad idea. He primarily makes short, funny videos with his friend and collaborator, Cooper Tomlinson, who also plays Ian in the series Obsession.
This YouTube channel features funny, short videos about everyday life – like the mishaps of hiring a cleaner online or dealing with a strict boss. Beyond those quick sketches, the channel also includes seven short films directed by Barker – six horror films and one comedy. Barker has actually directed twelve short films in total, but five of them – Striking Gold, Drywall, Meanwhile Outside the Bank, Contemplation, and Real World – aren’t currently available to watch on his channel.
Barker’s collection of short films showcases the impressive vision and developing talent of a director who honed his skills over years. All of this preparation culminated in his first feature film, Obsession, which is now a box office hit and drawing large crowds.
If you enjoyed the film Obsession and are looking for similar work, or if you’re considering seeing it in theaters, you should definitely check out director Curry’s other short films. You’ll find many of the same themes and styles in The Chair, Enigma, and Milk & Serial. Milk & Serial is his longest short, running over 25 minutes, and it gained a lot of attention after being released on YouTube in 2024.
With each film he makes, director Curry demonstrates a growing talent and a fascination with the unsettling and frightening. Despite working with limited resources – no big budgets, special effects, or large casts – Curry’s collection of short films offers a rare glimpse into the developing career of a promising new horror filmmaker, and he’s definitely someone to watch.
How Curry Barker’s Short Films Inform Obsession’s Scares And Story
I’ve noticed a really interesting pattern in Curry Barker’s films. It seems like he often focuses on ordinary, everyday things – chairs, old family keepsakes, even just willow branches – and imbues them with a sense of dread. They aren’t just props; they’re often cursed or somehow drive the characters to do terrible things or end up in awful situations. It’s a theme that really stands out, especially when you look at his short Obsession.
Curry’s short films, like his feature Obsession, build tension quickly and dramatically. Characters react to even small things with intense emotions – sudden anger or fear – creating unexpectedly jarring moments. His films constantly pair violence and fear, making them gripping and difficult to stop watching.
| Curry Barker Short Filmography | |
|---|---|
| Year | Title |
| 2019 | Real World |
| 2020 | We Don’t Feel Pain!! |
| 2020 | Contemplation |
| 2020 | Meanwhile Outside the Bank |
| 2021 | Drywall |
| 2022 | Heavy Eyes |
| 2023 | The Chair |
| 2023 | Enigma |
| 2023 | Warnings |
| 2024 | Striking Gold |
| 2024 | Milk & Serial |
| 2025 | Fly Me to the Earth |
Curry is intrigued by characters stuck in afterlife-like states, like purgatory or hell, often through no fault of their own. He finds the concept of being completely trapped – mentally and physically – the most frightening aspect of his films, even if there’s no suffering involved.
The feeling of being trapped and unable to explain what’s happening – like being stuck on a plane with no help in sight – is a recurring theme in all of Curry’s films. He’s become incredibly skilled at capturing that deeply unsettling and frightening feeling on screen. While Obsession marks his first feature film, Curry had already developed a knack for this type of horror.
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2026-05-28 16:42