If you've been swept up in the buzz around Obsession—and who hasn't, aside from that baffling corner of the internet that seems to have a grudge against Inde Navarrette for being charming on a hot sauce talk show—you're probably hungry for more indie horror that punches way above its weight. Obsession proved that a $750,000 budget and a relentless vision can create something truly gripping. But it's not the only micro-budget gem out there. In fact, there's a 2014 film that shares that same scrappy DNA, and it's currently streaming for free on Tubi: Starry Eyes.
Directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer, Starry Eyes drops us into the sun-bleached desperation of Los Angeles, where Sarah (Alex Essoe) is a waitress with dreams of becoming an actress. She's stuck in a dead-end job, surrounded by friends who talk big about their own ambitions but never seem to get anywhere. When she lands an audition for a horror movie called The Silver Scream, it feels like her big break. But as the audition process drags on, Sarah realizes that the role might demand more than just her talent—it might require her to sacrifice a piece of her very soul.
Alex Essoe's Breakout Performance
Released in 2014, Starry Eyes was Alex Essoe's first leading role, and it instantly cemented her as a scream queen. She'd go on to become a frequent collaborator with Mike Flanagan, most notably as Wendy in Doctor Sleep. Her performance here is nothing short of fearless. The film takes a classic premise—the Faustian bargain—and gives it a distinctly modern Hollywood twist. The fictional studio, Astraeus Pictures, isn't just a production company; it's a front for a cult that preys on vulnerable young actresses. This angle feels especially prescient, arriving a few years before the MeToo movement brought such abuses of power into the spotlight. One of the film's most unsettling scenes involves Sarah alone with the studio's nameless producer (Louis Dezseran), a moment that's all the more disturbing for its restraint.
What's remarkable is how much Kölsch and Widmyer achieved with a budget that was even smaller than Obsession's—they raised around $50,000 through Kickstarter. Yet the money they had is all up on the screen, especially in the third act when the gore and practical effects kick in. Essoe's physical transformation as Sarah deteriorates is both grotesque and heartbreaking. The film's low-fi aesthetic actually works in its favor, giving the whole thing a gritty, almost documentary-like feel. It's a far cry from the glossy, sun-drenched Hollywood we're used to seeing; here, everything is overcast, seedy, and sterile.
Channeling 'Possession'
The directors have cited Andrzej Żuławski's Possession as a major influence, particularly Isabelle Adjani's iconic performance. You can see that influence in Essoe's work when Sarah begins to spiral. There are moments that could easily tip into camp, but Essoe's commitment and the directors' steady hand keep it grounded. It's reminiscent of the kind of raw, unhinged energy that Christian Bale brought to American Psycho—a performance that elevates the entire film. Sarah's decline is tragic because we see her hope slowly drain away, replaced by a desperate willingness to do anything to escape her miserable life. The film's toughest scenes aren't the ones where she's pulling out her own fingernails; they're the quiet moments where she forces a smile while enduring another shift at her dead-end job.
Starry Eyes is a modern take on the occult horror subgenre, in the vein of Rosemary's Baby, but it uses the Hollywood studio system as its backdrop. It's a story about ambition, manipulation, and the dark side of the dream factory. If you're looking for a film that's both a chilling horror story and a sharp commentary on the entertainment industry, this is it. And the best part? You can stream it right now on Tubi, completely free. So if you've already devoured Obsession and are craving something with a similar indie spirit, give Starry Eyes a shot—it might just become your new favorite hidden gem.
For more recommendations like this, check out our list of hidden gem thrillers or dive into perfect movie endings that will leave you thinking.
