The setup of the new film obsession is a familiar one, but hear me out.

Yes, Guy makes a wish, wish comes true, things go bad.

But what sets this twisted little movie apart is just how bad things go,

and how much of that badness is rooted not special effects,

but in the astonishing, terrifying performance of its lead actress,

who is playing a woman so desperately in love that she becomes a danger to, well, pretty much,

everything. I'm Glenn Weldon. Joining me today on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour is Jordan Cruciola.

She's a writer and producer and the host of a podcast feeling scene on Maximum Fun. Hey, Jordan. So glad to be back on our

summer kickoff horror run that we're on right now. Yeah, it's a theme. Also with us is Monica Castillo,

film critic for the AV club. Welcome back, Monica. So thrilled to be here for this one and many more

spooky scary movies. We're running it back with this trio.

The gang's all here.

All right, let's do this.

So if you are a comedy nerd, you've probably had Curry Barker come across your feet at some point in the past few years.

He's part of a comedy duo that made viral sketches on TikTok and YouTube.

Obsession is the first theatrical feature he's written and directed. And while it's creepy as hell, he's also brought his serious comedy chops to the mix. Obsession stars Michael

Johnston as Bear, a slubby music store employee who's in love with his co-worker Nikki,

played by Indy Navarrete. He can't summon the courage to confess his feeling, so he makes a wish on a cheap

magic gag gift called a one Wish Willow for her to fall in love with him. Nicky does fall in

love with him, but that love soon proves to be the kind that is jealous and all-consuming,

and that comes with a body count. Obsession is in theaters now. Jordan, kick us off.

What did you think?

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