A micro-budget horror film that turned into a global phenomenon is finally headed to your streaming queue. “Obsession,” the breakout hit from 26-year-old filmmaker Curry Barker, has locked in its Netflix US release date — and the numbers behind its success are almost as wild as the film itself.

The Plot

The film follows Bear, a lonely and self-centered music store employee desperate to win over his crush, Nikki. After breaking a mysterious novelty toy known as the “One Wish Willow,” Bear gets exactly what he wished for — only to discover his desires come with a dark, sinister price. The story draws partial inspiration from a classic Simpsons “Treehouse of Horror” segment.

Why the Delay Before Netflix?

Focus Features and parent company Universal follow a strict 18-month Pay-1 streaming window. Rather than landing on Netflix immediately, their films debut exclusively on Peacock for four months first. “Obsession” starts that clock on Peacock on July 17, 2026, before making its way to Netflix US exactly four months later on November 17. Once there, it’ll stream for ten months before rotating back to Peacock for the window’s final stretch.

The Filmmaker Behind the Phenomenon

Curry Barker, who built an early following through comedy sketches before pivoting to viral horror, wrote, directed, and edited the film himself. Its runaway success has already landed him a high-profile directing gig on an A24 reboot of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre — a rare, rapid rise that echoes the kind of grassroots-to-mainstream trajectory seen across the modern independent film landscape.

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