It's been a scorching summer for horror, with 2026 delivering some of the genre's most talked-about releases. While The Odyssey continues its epic box office reign, eerie films have carved out their own space. Curry Barker's Obsession offers a chilling twist on the classic 'be careful what you wish for' trope, following Bear (Michael Johnston), a man whose unrequited crush leads him to a supernatural willow that forces his dream girl, Nikki (Inde Navarrette), to love him unconditionally. But as any fan of supernatural tales knows, such wishes come with a dark price—Nikki's free will is stripped away, and Bear, even when confronted with the horror of his actions, can't see the problem. Obsession joins a growing wave of socially conscious horror that critiques male entitlement, but it's far from the first—or the best—to do so.
Seven years ago, Ari Aster delivered the definitive take on this theme with Midsommar, a film that remains unmatched in its portrayal of toxic masculinity. Now streaming on HBO Max, it's a must-watch for anyone who thinks they've seen it all in horror.
The Ultimate Toxic Man in Horror
While Obsession is part of a refreshing new wave of genuinely unsettling horror, it can't hold a candle to Aster's masterpiece. In 2019, Midsommar followed up his traumatizing Hereditary and perfected social commentary within the genre. Florence Pugh broke out as Dani Ardor, a young woman trapped in a relationship defined by gaslighting and manipulation—before she even faces the devastating loss of her entire family.
Her boyfriend, Christian (Jack Reynor), reluctantly brings her along on a trip to Sweden for his thesis, more out of obligation than care. Throughout the journey, Dani is forced to confront how little Christian respects her—or anyone in his friend group, for that matter. The film's climax at a Swedish commune brings the toxicity to a boiling point, but some of the most harrowing moments happen long before they arrive.
Christian strings Dani along, gaslighting her at every turn, and only invites her because of her tragedy. His behavior is so abhorrent that when the literal horrors of the commune unfold, it almost feels like a relief. Christian is the true villain of Midsommar, making it the perfect horror story about toxic men.
Why Midsommar Still Resonates
Aster has said he wrote the film after emerging from a difficult relationship, channeling his own experiences into Dani's character. Christian is terrifying because his evil is casual, mundane, and all too familiar. That realism is what makes Midsommar so unsettling—it's not a monster under the bed, but the person who's supposed to love you.
The film catapulted Pugh to stardom and cemented itself as one of the best modern horror movies. Even seven years later, no toxic boyfriend narrative—including Obsession—can match the sun-drenched dread of Midsommar. For those who want to revisit or discover it, it's available on HBO Max, and it's a perfect companion to other terrifying horror films since 2010.
If you're in the mood for more horror that explores dark relationships, check out why 'Such Sharp Teeth' fails the female werewolf horror legacy or dive into the most intense horror books ever written. And for a different kind of scare, Stephen King's top supernatural horror pick is now free on Tubi.
