Curry Barker's 'Obsession' sparks sequel talk and anthology plans

YouTuber‑turned‑filmmaker Curry Barker, 26, gained attention with his debut horror feature Obsession, which follows a shy protagonist who wishes his crush love using a cursed toy. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, where a 24‑hour bidding war resulted in a $15 million sale to Focus Features – the highest price ever paid for a genre picture at TIFF. Producer Jason Blum, known for Get Out and Paranormal Activity, joined the project, and the two companies are also collaborating on Barker’s next movie, Anything but Ghosts, which wrapped in Vancouver with a $5 million budget.

While the film releases on May 15, Barker says a direct sequel is not his priority. He envisions an anthology series where each hour‑long episode explores a different “wish gone wrong,” inviting other directors to contribute. He sees this as a way to expand the film’s mythology without committing to a conventional sequel, though he does not rule out a follow‑up entirely.