Obsession (2025) - 7/10

Bear (Michael Johnston) is a hopeless romantic, or at least hopelessly in love. Unfortunately for him, the emphasis is on hopeless, he’s not very good at it. He’s an instantly lovable screen character though, awkward and shy, but this is no help to Bear, he’s clinically depressed… and obsessed with workmate, Nikki (Inde Navarrette). His world is fine on the surface, to his friends, Ian (Cooper Tomlinson) and Sarah (Megan Lawless), but inside, Bear is an emotional wreck. The suggestion is he just needs love, needs Nikki, but when an opportunity arises to make that happen, not only is that not the answer, but it brings more love than Bear can handle. The set up feels a bit kooky and well worn, but both Navarrette and Johnston are so magnificent, they create an eerie unhinged mood that permeates the screen and elevates this to a very enjoyable watch. We’re as confused and relieved as Bear to begin with, as he appears to find happiness with Nikki, but he knows that something is off. His friends know it too, even Nikki knows somewhere deep down, but Nikki is not herself. It hits a lot of psychotic thriller tropes, it’s very heavy handed, but it knows the hand it’s playing and plays it well. It’s not short on gore and much of it telegraphed, but it’s a horror, that’s what you’re here for. The nervous tension is extreme, the grotesque situation ramping up to the inevitable bonkers breaking point, but there’s a lot of crazy, bloody, gut wrenching mayhem along the way. Not quite brilliant, but worth watching if you like a pacy thriller with great acting that will keep you on your toes. Don’t watch this if you like cats.

7/10