Brady Teter '29

by Brady Teter '29 on September 17, 2026

The stir of the summer in cinema this year came relatively out of nowhere. Curry Barker’s Obsession took movie theatres by storm in the best way possible. With a budget of $750,000, it has grossed over $505 million worldwide under a cast of completely nobodies (besides Dancing with the Stars legend Andy Richter). Barker did what almost every horror director of the 21st century has done. Like Jordan Peele and Zach Cregger, Barker was a YouTube comedian prior to this horror run, coming from the
comedy group “That’s a Bad Idea” alongside Obsession cast member Cooper Tomlinson. Together, the duo created sketch videos that received anywhere from hundreds to millions of views online, before creating the YouTube horror film “Milk & Serial,” which ultimately led to Barker being signed by Focus Features to create his first professional film. What started as two roommates sharing their passion online turned into one of the greatest summer blockbuster films since Jaws in 1975. But the real crème de la crème was breakout actress Inde Navarrette, starring as Nikki. Co-star, Michael Johnston, who plays the “protagonist,” Bear, places a wish on Nikki using the film’s novelty toy, the One Wish Willow, hoping Nikki will love Bear more than anyone in the world—I put “protagonist” in quotes because Bear is what I would call the opposite of a hero. Navarrette’s utterly terrifying performance has caused quite a stir amongst Oscar season, which is coming faster than anyone could imagine. With other films like The
Odyssey, Digger, and Project Hail Mary being released or already on streaming devices, I can confidently say that movies are back. The real buzz of the year is that Navarrette is officially putting in her campaign for Best Actress, the highest of highs for all actresses in Hollywood. However, if you’re new to cinema or the history of the Oscars, you know that the Academy does not show much love to the horror genre. Take Toni Collete, for example, in the 2017 film Hereditary. What was deemed the best performance of not only the year, but the century, received nothing from the Academy. The controversy
caused an uproar in Hollywood and with movie lovers across the world. They wanted fairness for all genres, and to praise the actors and actresses who perform these frightening and blood curling roles and give them their flowers. So, what can Navarrette do to earn a nomination in the category? The answer is really quite simple. She has already put her name even further out there after landing a role in the newest Marvel Cinematic Universe reboot of the X-Men. She must continue to do press events, attending info sessions and screening Q&As. Being named in the top 10 of “Variety’s Actors to Watch of 2026” also helps build her name to the top of the Oscar mountain. Focus Features are putting their best foot forward in allowing their film and their star to receive the love they deserve. Alongside Navarrette, Barker is also on his press run, hoping to land not one, not two, but three nominations in Best Editing, Best Original
Screenplay, and the synonymous Best Picture, hoping for Obsession to be the first horror film since The Silence of the Lambs in 1991 to win Best Picture, showing how horror has really been treated by the Academy. Obsession did exactly what it wanted to do: it entered movie theatres as nothing, having zero expectation to do what it did. However, when you bring together a cast and crew of entertainers who are passionate about what they love, the ceiling can never be higher. I am rooting for Obsession to get
the glory and praise it rightfully deserves, and if I had a say in anything, it would take home all of the awards.