The horror sensation that dominated theaters throughout 2026 has now reached home making the breakout hit accessible to audiences who could not catch it on the big screen. ‘Obsession’, one of the biggest surprises of the year, is now available to rent and buy, allowing fans to experience the film that captivated both critics and audiences from their homes.
Where to look
However, the film is not yet available to stream with subscription on major platforms. Instead, viewers must rent or purchase ‘Obsession’ on premium video-on-demand services. The unrated version has been available on Apple TV since June 30, though it remains a premium video-on-demand title requiring viewers to rent or purchase access rather than being part of the platform’s standard subscription catalog, according to a report in India Today.For viewers who missed out on the theatrical experience, the digital release includes extras. “The digital release comes with a behind-the-scenes featurette and an audio commentary by director Barker,” according to the filmmakers. The film is also slated for a July 14 physical release on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K UHD, and is expected to stream on a subscription platform at a later date.
The low-budget horror thriller received widespread acclaim and became the highest-grossing release in its distributor’s history. Image Credit (Instagram)
Record breaking box office performance
‘Obsession’ hit theaters on May 15 and instantly defied expectations of a decent budget horror film. According to The Setsman, the film crossed $370 million worldwide at the box office, a remarkable feat that made it the highest-grossing film released by its distributor. Such commercial success is extremely rare for a horror movie, especially when combined with critical acclaim.The movie earned an A-grade on CinemaScore, which tracks audience response immediately after screenings. It also holds a 94 percent score on a major review aggregator, an unusually high rating for the genre. Critical acclaim and strong audience reception set ‘Obsession’ apart from the usual horror offerings.
Creator’s journey to extraordinary success
The story behind ‘Obsession’ adds another compelling layer to its success. Kari Barker, who wrote and directed the film, is only 20 years old. Barker built his following on YouTube before transitioning into feature filmmaking, making ‘Obsession’ his breakout moment. A young content creator transforms a low-budget horror concept into a global box office hit, presenting an unusual trajectory in the entertainment industry.
Writer-director Kari Barker, just 20 years old, has turned her breakout horror concept Obsession into 2026’s biggest box office success story. Image Credit (Instagram)
Plot and cast details
The description follows the play by Bear Michael Johnston A hopeless romantic who discovers the One Wish Willow, a mysterious object with supernatural powers. The bear primarily uses objects for one simple purpose: his crush falls for him.The wish succeeds, but the results prove far more sinister than expected. Nicky portrayed by Inde Navarrette becomes Bear’s crush who falls under the spell of desire. His feelings quickly turned into something unhealthy and dangerous. A sweet romantic fantasy turns into a dark and disturbing psychological thriller as Nicky’s obsession with beer escalates.Supporting cast members are Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless and Andy Richter, who play various roles in the story. The film’s success shows that not only the high-concept concept attracted the audience, as the cast’s performance and the director’s approach in bringing the story to life was also a plus.
