“Exceptional” horror hit Obsession changed its original ending – and it was the right choice

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Obsession spoilers follow.

I’m totally hooked on the new horror movie, Obsession! It’s starring Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette, and everyone’s been talking about it since it came out earlier this month. I was surprised to hear it’s already made over $100 million – what a hit!

The film’s central themes – consent, unhealthy relationships, and losing oneself – are powerfully explored, culminating in a violent and impactful ending filled with bloodshed and loss.

While under a magical influence, Nikki Navarrette casts a spell on Bear Johnston using a special willow tree. This causes him to emerge from where he was hiding and tragically die from a drug overdose while in her arms.

When the spell affecting Nikki is broken, she finally understands everything that happened while she was under its control. She realizes this just moments before she was about to take her own life, and then sees the devastating consequences of her actions: Bear is dead, along with two of her closest friends.

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Although Nikki is left dealing with significant trauma and the consequences of her actions after the movie’s events, writer-director Curry Barker revealed the initial ending was inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

The filmmakers shot two different endings for the movie. One is the ending audiences see, and the other involved the character Nikki also dying by suicide, as they explained to Entertainment Weekly.

After they filmed the ending that appeared in the final movie, Barker remembered that he and his father both felt the film was much more unsettling if Nikki lived through her encounter with One Wish Willow.

Barker, the director of Milk & Serial, clarified that the curse leaves Nikki with lingering, disturbing memories. He also explained that she experienced trauma from losing control of her own body.

He admitted the film’s ending, similar to Romeo and Juliet, would finally let Nikki be in charge, something she hasn’t been for a long time. However, we believe the actual ending still gives her some independence, even though things look very difficult for her.

Released in theaters on May 15th, Obsession has earned over $108 million despite a small budget of only $750,000. Variety predicts it will be one of the most profitable movies of 2026.

The horror film has received widespread critical acclaim, currently holding a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 238 reviews. In a five-star review, Digital Spy praised the film as “exceptional” and named it one of the best films of the year.

Obsession is in cinemas now.

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2026-05-30 22:19