Obsession (MA) – 108 minutes

You are really into this young woman who works with you in a music store and is very soon to move away to pursue her passion for writing. 

At the moment, you are just friends.

So far, you haven’t had the guts and haven’t found the right time to tell her how you feel because you fear rejection.

Then you seize an opportunity to cast a love spell on her via a silly little toy that in your heart of hearts you know won’t work … but, surprisingly, it does.

In fact, it works too well and she is totally obsessed with you.

The obsession becomes disruptive, disturbing and downright dangerous. So much so that you desperately wish you hadn’t made the wish in the first place. 

And there you have the crux of this low budget supernatural horror thriller that is taking the box office by storm.  

The young man in question is Baron "Bear" Bailey (Michael Johnston) and the girl he has “the feels” for is Nikki Freeman (Inde Navarrette).

Also part of the equation are two fellow workers at the music store.

I refer to Bear’s mate, Ian (Cooper Tomlinson), who Nikki seems to care more about than Bear, and Sarah Harper (Megan Lawless), who likes Bear.

The shop they all work in is owned by Sarah’s father, Carter (Andy Richter).

So it is what starts out with merely wishful thinking on Bear’s part becomes something else entirely, as Nikki becomes possessed. It is like she has a split personality.

Written, directed and edited by Curry Barker, this impressively spooky movie marks him as a filmmaker to be watched.

In short, he achieves much with little, for on paper the premise simply seems preposterous. 

There is an increasingly desperation about Michael Johnston’s portrayal of Bear, for whichever way the latter turns seems to be met with a dead end.

Nikki’s descent into madness is well captured by Inde Navarrette, who plays unhinged convincingly, with no shortage of shrieks.

They are the two standouts, while Cooper Tomlinson and Megan Lawless provide valuable support.

Much of the action takes place inside Bear’s apartment. Cinematographer Taylor Clemons has done a fine job giving that a claustrophobic feel.

The atmospherics are also what make the relatively thin plot come to life. I speak of sound effects, and the music by Rock Burwell.

And the moral of this twisted tale that draws blood – be careful what you wish for.

Rated MA, it scores a 7 out of 10.