The independent supernatural horror film Obsession has defied industry expectations, grossing an astonishing $334 million and counting across 39 days of release, cementing its place as one of the most significant box office phenomena in recent memory. Co-created by filmmaking duo Cooper Tomlinson and Curry Barker, the film’s success represents a seismic shift in Hollywood, proving the power of grassroots talent and unconventional paths to cinematic triumph. In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Cooper Tomlinson delved into the exhilarating journey, the film’s profound impact, and the future of their burgeoning creative partnership.
From Film School Lines to YouTube Stardom
The genesis of this remarkable success story traces back to 2018, when Cooper Tomlinson and Curry Barker, both aspiring actors, found themselves in line on their first day at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) in Los Angeles. A shared passion for pop culture touchstones like The Walking Dead and the seminal rock band Weezer (with likely spirited debates over the merits of Blue Album versus Pinkerton) quickly forged a bond. However, their academic path proved short-lived. Recognizing a greater hunger for immediate, hands-on learning, the pair made the bold decision to drop out of NYFA’s acting program.
Their alternative classroom became YouTube, where they launched the channel "That’s a Bad Idea." This platform served as a fertile ground for experimentation, allowing them to hone their skills in writing, directing, acting, and editing through a prolific output of web series, sketches, and short films. Their dedication yielded tangible results, including the award-winning short film The Chair (2023) and the no-budget found-footage feature, Milk & Serial (2024). This period of relentless self-production underscored their commitment to mastering the craft outside traditional frameworks, laying the groundwork for their future endeavors.
The Catalyst: A Simpsons Episode and an Always Sunny Role
While their YouTube channel flourished, Tomlinson and Barker continued to audition for conventional acting roles and develop individual projects. A pivotal moment arrived in July 2023. Tomlinson attended a celebratory gathering for Barker, who had secured a guest role on the acclaimed FX comedy It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. That evening, a Simpsons episode — specifically a "Treehouse of Horror" installment known for its macabre and often ironic twists of fate — aired before It’s Always Sunny, sparking an idea in Barker.
The following morning, Barker presented his concept to Tomlinson: a "be-careful-what-you-wish-for" narrative. Tomlinson recalls the immediate spark: "The love and the passion for that idea went from zero to 100 just like that, and we were off to the races." This rapid ascent of an idea into a fully formed passion project would become Obsession.
The concept quickly caught the attention of producer James Harris of Tea Shop Productions. Initially, Harris had reached out regarding a feature adaptation of their short film The Chair. However, Barker, with compelling conviction, successfully pitched Obsession instead. This marked the crucial first step in a chain of events that would propel the film to unprecedented heights.
The Production and Box Office Phenomenon
Obsession entered principal photography in October 2024 with a modest budget of $750,000. The film’s compelling narrative, coupled with the raw talent of its creators, quickly garnered industry buzz. Its splashy premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2025 ignited a frenzied bidding war among distributors, a testament to its immediate critical and commercial appeal. Focus Features, the independent division of Universal Pictures, ultimately emerged victorious, acquiring the film for a substantial $15 million. This acquisition, significantly exceeding the film’s production budget, demonstrated the studio’s confidence in the project.
With the full backing of Focus Features, Obsession was strategically released wide on May 15, 2026. The film’s trajectory since then has been nothing short of meteoric, accumulating over $334 million at the global box office in just over a month. This extraordinary performance has solidified Obsession as a benchmark for independent filmmaking success and a testament to the audience’s appetite for fresh, original horror narratives.
The Tragic Core of Obsession: A Wish Gone Awry
The supernatural horror film Obsession delves into the harrowing consequences of unchecked desire and cowardice. It centers on Baron "Bear" Bailey (portrayed by Michael Johnston), a character whose inability to express his true feelings for his co-worker, Nikki (Inde Navarrette), leads him down a dark path. Instead of confessing his love, Bear resorts to a magical novelty item, "One Wish Willow," uttering the fateful plea: "I wish Nikki Freeman loved me more than anyone in the f***ing world." The immediate aftermath sees Nikki’s autonomy stripped away, as she is transformed into the disturbingly infatuated "Freaky Nikki," leaving the real Nikki a trapped spectator within her own body.
This central premise, a twisted take on the classic "be-careful-what-you-wish-for" trope, resonated deeply with audiences, drawing parallels to cautionary tales and exploring the darker facets of human obsession.
Casting Choices and Behind-the-Scenes Insights
An intriguing revelation from Tomlinson is that Curry Barker, the film’s director, initially considered taking on the lead role of Bear himself. "Curry definitely considered playing Bear at one point, but I left it up to him," Tomlinson shared. "I think the movie would’ve been great regardless, but he was able to make the best movie possible by being behind the camera and leading the ship. He didn’t have to think about being in front of the camera for his first big movie." This decision highlights Barker’s commitment to the overall vision, prioritizing directorial control over a starring role in his debut feature.
Prior to principal photography, Tomlinson himself stepped into Bear’s shoes for a screen test, primarily for technical purposes. He recounted, "When we started to put the movie together at the end of 2023 or top of 2024, I actually got to play Bear in a screen test. We did that whole scene with the car and Nikki’s front door, only with different actors." Despite enjoying the experience, Tomlinson quickly recognized Michael Johnston’s undeniable suitability for the role. "But as soon as I saw Michael’s performance, I knew he was the right guy for that role. He killed it." Tomlinson ultimately embraced his role as Bear’s so-called best friend, Ian, a character that would later prove to be crucial and morally ambiguous.
The Nuances of Ian’s Character and a Pivotal Reshoot
Tomlinson’s portrayal of Ian introduces significant depth and recontextualizes the film’s central conflict. Ian’s initial interactions with Bear suggest a less-than-ideal friend, a perception dramatically amplified by the revelation that he and Nikki had a clandestine, on-again-off-again relationship for two years prior to Bear’s fateful wish. This backstory casts a shadow over Ian’s actions, particularly in the opening diner scene where he offers Bear advice, including the suggestion to call Nikki "Freaky Nikki."
Tomlinson confirms the character’s manipulative intent: "There’s a piece of Ian that was really jealous of Bear and wanted Nikki for himself still. So he found a way to be supportive in the moment, but he also knew [his advice to call her ‘Freaky Nikki’] could screw things up for Bear. He’s the devil on the shoulder. He likes to stir the pot. He likes to control what happens." This adds a layer of tragic irony, as Ian’s seemingly helpful advice inadvertently steers Bear towards a destructive path.
The diner scene itself was a reshoot, replacing an earlier version that involved a phone call between Bear and Ian en route to trivia night. Tomlinson expressed his satisfaction with the change, noting its contribution to character connection and the opportunity for improvisation, reminiscent of their early YouTube sketches.
Ian’s subsequent "investigation" into Nikki’s sudden infatuation with Bear and her fabricated story about her father’s leukemia is revealed to be driven primarily by bruised ego and a desire for control, rather than genuine concern. "His ego is bruised. He’s a guy who wants to be in control, and he’s not. He doesn’t understand. In his mind, there’s no way that she would go for Bear, and he’s jealous. So it was all a selfish act," Tomlinson elaborated.
However, a moment of genuine concern surfaces during the "billion-dollar-wish" scene, where Ian, confronted with Bear’s hysteria, cries out, "Is she okay?" Tomlinson clarifies, "He does care for Nikki. He doesn’t want her to die, especially after what happened at the party [and how frantic Bear is acting in that scene]." This fleeting glimpse of empathy adds complexity to Ian’s otherwise self-serving motivations. His subsequent wish for a billion dollars, as Tomlinson notes, perfectly aligns with his character’s materialistic and grounded desires.
The Enduring Questions and a Glimmer of Hope
The film’s ending, a departure from an earlier Romeo and Juliet-esque scripted suicide for Nikki, was a deliberate choice influenced by several voices, including Curry Barker’s father, Jeff Barker. The final version sees the real Nikki reawakening to witness the devastation wrought by Freaky Nikki’s actions. Tomlinson strongly advocated for this conclusion: "I thought it was a no-brainer. There’s so much conversation about what happens next for her, and if it went the other way, the story is closed. There’s nothing else to say. But now there’s so many different ways that her story could go, and maybe one day we’ll find out." This open-ended conclusion has fueled extensive fan debate and sets the stage for potential future installments.
A central point of discussion among audiences revolves around whether Real Nikki harbored feelings for Bear before his wish. Tomlinson believes she did, emphasizing a crucial scene where she directly asks him, "Do you like me?" He states, "In that moment, if he had told her the truth, I think there would’ve been an attraction to that. I think she would’ve given him a chance. She was just looking for the honesty she’s always been looking for in this guy, and he didn’t give it to her. But I think she really did know how he felt, and she just wanted to hear it." This interpretation intensifies the tragedy, highlighting how Bear’s cowardice prevented a potentially genuine connection.
A Full-Circle Moment and Future Endeavors
Beyond Obsession, Tomlinson and Barker have already completed their follow-up film for Focus Features, Anything But Ghosts. This supernatural horror-comedy, which they co-wrote and co-star in, exists within the same cinematic universe as Obsession. The project also features a supporting role by Aaron Paul, marking a significant full-circle moment for the duo. Tomlinson recounted a chance encounter with Paul in 2019 at a screening of El Camino, Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad sequel. "We were walking to the bathroom and Aaron was coming down in the opposite direction… we literally bumped into Aaron," Tomlinson recalled. Six years later, collaborating with Paul on their own film was a dream realized. "We had to tell him that story before we started filming, and it was so cool for us to be able to have that full-circle moment. Every day on that set was the best day of our lives." The increased budget for Anything But Ghosts represented a "completely different playing field," though they remained committed to their core creative principles.
The duo also has a TV show in development, though Tomlinson remains tight-lipped about the details, bound by secrecy. As for Obsession‘s future, while initial discussions hinted at an anthology series, Curry Barker reportedly has a compelling idea for a direct sequel. Tomlinson, with a knowing smile, confirmed, "Yeah, I know a little bit."
Tomlinson’s journey has also included other acting opportunities, such as a role in Dutton Ranch, a spin-off from the popular Yellowstone universe. He described the "rewarding experience," including the serendipitous audition process and working with Kelly Reilly.
Reflecting on the entire Obsession experience, Tomlinson emphasized a cherished memory: "I’ll say, ‘Do you remember when we invited all our friends over and table read the script before it had any money behind it?’ We just loved reading it, and we had so much fun doing it. We were just getting excited about hopefully making the movie one day. It was probably a year before that day came." This anecdote perfectly encapsulates the passion and organic growth that characterized their journey, from aspiring filmmakers to industry trailblazers.
Obsession is now playing in movie theaters, continuing its remarkable run and cementing its place in cinematic history.
