Curry Barker has quickly become a name horror fans watch closely. His film Obsession turned a disturbing obsession into a chilling exploration of control and violation, with Inde Navarrette's performance making the horror deeply personal. The movie's success has set high expectations for whatever Barker does next.
But here's the twist: his follow-up, Anything But Ghosts, was already in the can before Obsession even hit theaters wide. That means the pressure of following a hit doesn't apply—at least not in the usual way. In a recent interview with Collider's Maggie Lovitt, Barker opened up about this unique position.
A Free Pass from Pressure
When asked about the weight of expectations, Barker admitted, "I think it's a fair question, and I do think that that exists in me." He went on to explain that he's determined to prove that pressure won't compromise his work. "I want to prove everyone wrong, that that pressure won't affect my work," he said. "And I really hope that it doesn't, because I get it. And I think we've all seen that happen before. And I think I'm gonna get a free pass with Ghosts because I didn't have that pressure, you know."
That free pass is a rare gift for any filmmaker. Anything But Ghosts was made without the shadow of Obsession's success looming over it, allowing Barker to work with the same creative freedom that birthed his breakout hit.
Could Barker Bring His Horror to TV?
While a new film is on the horizon, Barker isn't ruling out television. The format offers a different kind of storytelling—one where a premise can unfold over an entire season. "I think it is [something I'm interested in]," Barker said. "And only because I love telling stories, and some stories are perfect for an hour and 30 minutes, some stories need two hours, and some stories need eight hours. You know, a season, and some stories really need to be delved into a little more."
He's particularly drawn to the long-form character arcs that TV allows. "I think watching a character arc from Season 1 to Season 3 is always something that's really interesting, and I would never want to box myself out of those opportunities," he added. But for now, his focus remains on the big screen. "I think I might stick around film for a while," he said, though he noted that a TV project could fit his schedule if the right one came along.
On Being a Gen-Z Filmmaker
Barker has also been grouped with other young directors like Kane Parsons (of Backrooms fame) under the "Gen-Z filmmaker" label. Barker sees it as "really trendy talk" that doesn't actually impact his career. "Luckily, it doesn't actually affect the opportunities that I've been getting in the industry," he said. He also feels respected by his peers: "I think I've been treated with respect, you know, and really treated as an equal to these people and not necessarily treated as a lesser or younger version of anybody so far."
With Anything But Ghosts set to hit theaters on May 7, 2027, Barker's next chapter is already written. For more on his thoughts about the hidden details in Obsession, check out our earlier coverage. And if you're curious about other rising horror talents, our list of campy horror gems might be your next binge.
