The chances of an Obsession spinoff have been addressed by one of the film’s stars following the horror phenomenon’s record-breaking box office success.
Written and directed by Curry Barker, Obsession became one of the biggest surprise hits of 2026. The supernatural horror thriller follows Bear (Michael Johnston), a lonely music store employee who uses a mysterious item known as the One Wish Willow to make his crush Nikki (Inde Navarrette) fall in love with him.
However, his wish quickly spirals out of control as Nikki’s affection transforms into a dangerous obsession. Made on a budget of less than $1 million, the film has become a cultural phenomenon and one of the highest-grossing horror movies of the year.
Earlier this month, Barker floated the idea of expanding the franchise through an anthology format rather than a direct continuation, with each installment exploring a different story connected to the One Wish Willow concept. Now, in an interview with ScreenRant‘s Ash Crossan for the film’s home release, Johnston shared his enthusiasm for the idea and talked about possibly returning as a different character. Read his comments below:
Are you kidding? Of course I would. That would be amazing. I think I probably told Curry, “Hey, we could put a prosthetic nose, and I can come back.” Yeah, that would be sick. But the anthology is a great idea. I think Curry’s booked and busy right now, rightfully so, but it seems like a no-brainer. I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens, but I am not confirming that. I have no idea. That just sounds like a brilliant idea. When I read the script, I was like, “What is this One Wish Willow?” I remember Googling it to see if it was real. I was so impressed.
When asked if he would personally use a One Wish Willow if given the opportunity, Johnston laughed off the idea, explaining that every possible wish seemed destined to backfire in some way. See his answer below:
No. I would throw it in the fireplace, although I don’t know what might happen if I did that. No way. I used to say that my wish would be that I could get a rule book that would tell me what wishes my friends could make that we could all benefit from, but I can even see that backfiring. A giant book falls out of the sky and crushes me. So, no, there’s no way I’d use that thing. There are so many problems. Even if you wish for a billion dollars of completely clean money, now you have to launder it. “Where did this money come from?” The government’s just going to come and take it. The only thing you could do with it is just have cash in your pockets when you go out to eat or something. What else could you spend it on? I don’t know.
The anthology concept seems very possible given Obsession‘s extraordinary box office performance. After opening to strong reviews and positive word-of-mouth, the film shattered expectations by earning more than $371 million worldwide, becoming Focus Features’ highest-grossing film ever.
Obsession has delivered one of the most profitable theatrical runs in recent memory. The film quickly became a viral sensation online, with audiences praising its blend of psychological horror, dark humor, and supernatural mythology. Its breakout performance transformed Barker from an emerging filmmaker into one of horror’s most talked-about new voices, alongside Navarrete’s and Johnston’s celebrated performances.
Much of the film’s appeal is thanks to Barker’s One Wish Willow itself. Like the cursed objects and supernatural devices found in classic horror anthologies, the artifact provides a simple but flexible premise that can be adapted to countless stories. Every wish comes with unintended consequences, allowing future installments to explore entirely new characters, settings, and dilemmas while remaining connected to the same mythos.
The concept has already drawn comparisons to franchises such as The Twilight Zone, Black Mirror, and The Monkey’s Paw, all of which revolve around ordinary people facing extraordinary consequences after making seemingly harmless choices. An anthology format would allow Obsession to expand its universe without needing to continue Bear and Nikki’s story directly, making it easier to introduce fresh casts and creative scenarios.
For now, no sequel or spinoff has been officially announced. However, between the movie’s record-breaking box office haul, Barker’s public comments about an anthology, and Johnston’s enthusiasm for returning in some capacity, the future of the franchise appears bright. If the One Wish Willow does make its return, audiences may soon discover that countless more cautionary tales in the Obsession universe are waiting to be told.
Obsession is now available on VOD.
- Release Date
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May 15, 2026
- Runtime
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108 minutes
- Director
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Curry Barker
- Writers
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Curry Barker
- Producers
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Christian Mercuri, James Harris, Roman Viaris, Haley Nicole Johnson