If you've watched Obsession more than once, you might have noticed something odd in the car scenes: the same building keeps passing by the window. That's not a stylistic choice—it's a budget compromise, and director Curry Barker is finally explaining why it's still in the film.
In a recent chat with Collider, Barker got candid about the challenges of making his horror hit. When asked about the toughest scene to pull off, he pointed to the car sequences, which relied on an LED wall for the scenery outside. The loop of footage wasn't long enough, so the same building appears repeatedly as the characters drive. "Sometimes we would see the same building passing over and over," Barker admitted. "I was pretty frustrated with that when I was in the edit, but we just didn't have the budget to fix that later in post."
It's a small flaw that most viewers might miss, especially with Nikki's unsettling presence dominating the frame. But now that Barker has called it out, you'll probably spot it on your next rewatch—and maybe even appreciate the scrappy resourcefulness behind it.
Seeing Obsession with Fresh Eyes
Barker also reflected on revisiting the film after a break, a rare luxury for a director who's been deep in the weeds of editing. He estimated he's watched Obsession over 200 times, but it wasn't until a theater screening months later that he truly saw it anew. "I didn't even watch the whole thing, but I rewatched the beginning," he said. "It was the first time I'd had any experience of seeing it with fresh eyes ever."
That moment was emotional for Barker, who had been chasing a specific eerie, nostalgic feeling throughout production. "I always was so disappointed that I wasn't able to achieve that feeling, but I think I did. I was just too close to it," he explained. "Re-watching it, I felt that feeling that I've been chasing."
From Indie Horror to Fortnite Fame
The conversation also touched on the surreal reality of Obsession's cultural footprint. Nikki has shown up in Fortnite and at Halloween Horror Nights, something Barker never anticipated when he started the project. "That's gotta be the craziest part," he said. "Everyone kind of tries to tell you what it's gonna be, but your characters showing up in Fortnite, your characters showing up at theme parks—those types of conversations don't ever really start until you've created some sort of IP."
For Barker, the success has been a whirlwind, and he's still processing the fact that his indie creation has become a recognizable brand. "I guess I did create an IP, but I never would have thought about it like that," he added.
As Obsession continues to find new audiences, Barker's honesty about its imperfections only adds to its charm. It's a reminder that even the most haunting horror films are made by humans with limited resources—and sometimes, those limitations become part of the story.
For more from Barker's interview, including his thoughts on horror franchises and what scares him most, stay tuned to Collider. And if you're in the mood for more spooky season content, check out our look at Halloweentown's long-awaited return or the latest on Disney+'s Glee reboot.
