Global BO Sensation: Big Turnoff for Indian Audiences?

YouTuber-turned-filmmaker Curry Barker’s debut feature film Obsession, made on a modest $0.75 million budget, has grossed nearly $100 million globally in just 12 days.

The supernatural horror thriller finally releases in Indian theatres today after generating strong international buzz.

The film follows a socially awkward young man who uses a magical toy to make his crush fall in love with him, but things soon spiral out of control.

Indian reviewers who watched the film before release are largely calling it creepy, tense, and psychologically disturbing. Many praised how most of the story unfolds inside a few confined rooms, creating a trapped and uncomfortable atmosphere throughout the film.

There is also considerable appreciation for lead actress Inde Navarrette, whose performance as the obsessed partner is being highlighted as one of the film’s strongest aspects.

Most reviewers agree the film works because of its acting and unsettling atmosphere rather than relying on cheap jump scares. Instead, the horror is built through eerie sound design, emotional intensity, and psychological tension.

However, criticism has also emerged regarding the story itself. Many reviewers pointed out that the central “be careful what you wish for” concept is familiar territory that cinema has explored multiple times before.

Some online reviewers also felt the middle portion becomes repetitive, with similar emotional conflicts and arguments repeating too often.

Despite mixed critical reactions in some circles, Obsession has already become a major surprise success at the international box office, largely driven by huge social media hype among Gen-Z audiences. However, many seasoned horror fans are calling it more of a one-time watch than a genre classic.

In India, the CBFC has reportedly trimmed 38 seconds from the film, removing portions containing strong violence and sexual content.

It will now be interesting to see how Indian audiences respond to the film in theatres.