Obsession & “The Nice Guy”
Trigger warnings: boundaries, survival, mental health, horror, scary, trauma, consent, assault, nice guy, obsession, domestic violence, Psychological horror
Nikki (Inde Navarrette) in Curry Barker's 'Obsession'
Focus Features
Warning: spoilers ahead!
Curry Barker’s 2026 Obsession has proven to be an instant classic due to the outstanding performances, pacing, and anxiety provoking story. The theme centers around a Monkey Paw type story line intertwined with a stripping of autonomy within a ‘relationship’ (in this case a friendship) and intense, controlling selfishness masquerading as being a ‘nice guy’.
So what is the definition of a nice guy? According to Dr Robert Glover who wrote No More Mr Nice Guy (Jesper, “Nice Guys: A Background, Common Traits & the Psychology - Mind & Practice”) it is, “men who regularly victimize themselves and blame their circumstances on other people and dumb luck.” There is little to no internalized accountability, things are constantly happening TO THEM not BECAUSE OF THEM and their poor decision making and lack of doing the work.
Bear (the character pushing all this forward) is the archetype of someone afraid of vulnerability so in turn takes the ‘easy’ route (for him, awful for everyone else) of wishing for what he wants disregarding the wants and needs of anyone else in his life that he supposedly cares about. Bear is even presented with several outs, chances to confess his feelings, warnings that it won’t end well, and a friend group that all have their own motivations and concerns while dealing with their own issues. They also never jump in to attempt to save Nikki, they only notice how it might look to others and although they are all friends, no one steps in going so far as choosing to remain ignorant which leads to several deaths.
Don’t break that stick without thinking it through (or at all)!
I’ve seen discussion online where people are saying “Bear was a nice guy”, “I’m so Nikki”, “Just like my ex” which is missing the whole point of the story (and also understandable as a way to sit with the discomfort but c’mon). Nikki was not consulted (although she gave Bear the chance at the beginning to tell her that he liked her), she never consented and was even aware of what was happening but couldn’t break free long enough to save herself from Bear and his desires. This is why “Nice Guy” is put in quotes because these people convince themselves that they can be selfish and it won’t hurt anyone, they can finally get what they want and not face the risk of rejection.
One of the most heartbreaking scenes is when actual Nikki breaks through and asks Bear to kill her and his response is “What’s so wrong about being with me?” and then abandoning her completely to not face any consequences that were his to deal with for the decisions he continuously makes. If I could’ve jumped through the theater screen at that point I would have…to strangle Bear. If someone acts like this, they haven’t done the work to be in a healthy relationship. They victimize themselves to the point of being a dangerous and entitled person.
If you haven’t read Lundy Bancroft’s ‘Why Does He Do That? Inside the mind of angry and controlling men’ (amazing book) there is a chapter over the Victim-type of abuser that is often covert abuse (harder to explain, harder for the victim and others to notice, etc). Below is a long but important video of Lundy Bancroft being interviewed discussing such dynamics:
My hope for people willing and able to watch Obsession is knowing that vulnerability and risk is how we deepen relationships. How we deal with and process rejection makes us more skilled at navigating it in the future. Yes, these are difficult AND we won’t find the right people until we know how to do these things. We’ll encounter people who don’t respect and adhere to our boundaries, project onto us without looking at themselves, and other toxic dynamics. Rejection is survive-able, stripping someone of their autonomy so you don’t have to be uncomfortable or avoid being rejected is selfish energy. Don’t be like Bear.
Obsession also gives us a glimpse into other people’s wishes and tickles the idea that you can actually make wishes that won’t ruin your life and anyone else’s but we don’t get too much detail into this (the shopkeeper, Ian), although Curry Barker’s next film, Anything But Ghosts, appears to be set in the same universe as obsession (Profit).
So what would your one wish willow be if you had the chance?
If you or someone you know needs support please utilize https://www.thehotline.org/ ; call the 24/7 hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or text START to 88788.
Other resources include:
StrongHearts 844.762.8483 | Helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline 866.311.9474 | For young people experiencing abuse or curious about healthy relationships
Video phone: 855.812.1001 | Helpline for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing
Works Cited
Bancroft, Lundy. Why Does He Do That? : Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men. New York, New York, Berkley Books, 2002.
Hunt, Hannah. ““Obsession” Is a Horror Movie about the Dangers of “Nice Guys” | Review.” Collider, 28 May 2026, collider.com/obsession-review-curry-barker-psychological-horror/. Accessed 4 June 2026.
Jesper. “Nice Guys: A Background, Common Traits & the Psychology - Mind & Practice.” Mind & Practice, 22 Apr. 2021, mindandpractice.com/nice-guys-a-background-common-traits-the-psychology/. Accessed 4 June 2026.
---. “Nice Guys: A Background, Common Traits & the Psychology - Mind & Practice.” Mind & Practice, 22 Apr. 2021, mindandpractice.com/nice-guys-a-background-common-traits-the-psychology/. Accessed 4 June 2026.
“Obsession One Wish Willow Sweepstakes.” Focusfeatures.com, 2026, www.focusfeatures.com/sweepstakes/obsession-one-wish-willow-sweepstakes. Accessed 4 June 2026.
Placido, Dani Di. “The Twist Ending of “Obsession,” Explained.” Forbes, 19 May 2026, www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2026/05/19/the-twist-ending-of-obsession-explained/.
Profit, NDTV. “Riding High on “Obsession”, Curry Barker Unveils New Horror Film “Anything but Ghosts.”” Www.ndtvprofit.com, NDTV Profit, 4 June 2026, www.ndtvprofit.com/lifestyle/riding-high-on-obsession-curry-barker-unveils-new-horror-film-anything-but-ghosts-11592157. Accessed 5 June 2026.
