The 26-year-old Alabama filmmaker behind horror hit ‘Obsession’ is reimagining a 1970s cult classic

Curry Barker has officially become the horror genre's latest obsession. The 26-year-old Mobile native has seen a meteoric rise, evolving from a YouTube sensation to being labeled by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the most sought-after directors currently working in Hollywood.

From YouTube to the Big Screen

Barker's momentum exploded following the premiere of his film Obsession at the Toronto International Film Festival last September. The project triggered a intense bidding war eventually won by Focus Features. Since its theatrical debut on May 15, the film has received universal acclaim from both critics and general audiences.

Reflecting on his sudden success during an interview with 205focus.com, Barker described the whirlwind journey as "surreal." He noted that his goal was never to chase industry hype but simply to craft a movie he would personally enjoy watching in a theater.

Obsession stars Michael Johnston as Bear, a man who discovers a mysterious "One Wish Willow" and experiences the terrifying consequences of his desires. Despite a modest $750,000 budget, the film was acquired for $15 million and has already become a box office success. It earned an estimated $16.1 million during its opening weekend across 2,615 theaters, outperforming most other new releases.

Comedy Roots and Horror Aspirations

Before his transition to feature films, Barker built a massive following alongside creative partner Curry Tomlinson on their YouTube channel, that’s a bad idea. Their work in sketch comedy has drawn comparisons to other genre-bending auteurs like Jordan Peele and Zach Cregger.

Barker admits he is still adjusting to the reality of his new circle, which includes heroes like Ari Aster. "It feels like I’m in the matrix," he said, describing how established directors are now texting him to share their support.

The filmmaker frequently utilizes his background in sketch comedy to blend humor with genuine terror in projects like his shorts "The Chair" and the $800-budgeted "Milk and Serial." Barker thrives on taking mundane social interactions and transforming them into nightmare scenarios, often setting his stories in small-town environments that mirror his Alabama upbringing.

Looking Ahead

While he couldn't secure the budget to film Obsession in Alabama, Barker expressed a strong desire to return home for future projects, noting the growing film community in Fairhope. In the immediate future, he is busy with the Blumhouse production "Anything but Ghosts" and has officially signed on to helm the next Texas Chainsaw Massacre film for A24.

For aspiring creators, Barker offers a simple piece of advice: prioritize quantity over quality in the beginning. "Make 10 shitty films and allow it to be bad and give yourself that permission, so you can earn your stripes," he said.