Obsession
Obsession
Obsession
Isaiah Dennis
Isaiah Dennis
Isaiah Dennis
Introduction
At one point in a person’s life, you had a little crush on someone. Perhaps a bad boy. Perhaps a quirky girl. And the worst thing is going to your crush, telling them how you feel, only for them to tell you they don’t reciprocate the same feelings. But, what if they said yes?
Bear has had a crush on Nikki his childhood friend for a long time. Bear decides to buy her a supernatural toy with the promise of making one wish. After an argument after a night out with friends, Bear uses the toy instead to make her fall in love with him. To his surprise, the toy worked and he got what he wanted! However, Nikki behavior creates a riff between him and their friends as her affection evolves from obsession to something far worse.
At one point in a person’s life, you had a little crush on someone. Perhaps a bad boy. Perhaps a quirky girl. And the worst thing is going to your crush, telling them how you feel, only for them to tell you they don’t reciprocate the same feelings. But, what if they said yes?
Bear has had a crush on Nikki his childhood friend for a long time. Bear decides to buy her a supernatural toy with the promise of making one wish. After an argument after a night out with friends, Bear uses the toy instead to make her fall in love with him. To his surprise, the toy worked and he got what he wanted! However, Nikki behavior creates a riff between him and their friends as her affection evolves from obsession to something far worse.
Main Discussion
The characters in this film were so believable. Michael Johnston plays a hopeless romantic role effortlessly. But the MVP of this is Inde Navarette who I’d argue plays dual roles. Her emotional shifts control the room heightening the tension and creepiness. Her facial expressions and her physicality perfectly capture the unsettling nature of lust helped by intentional lighting that evoke the work of German expressionism.
The film is shot in a 4x3 ratio giving it a very intimate and old-fashioned feel. The lighting is beautiful casting nice contrasts with the shadows of each actor heightening the uneasy feeling as the story folds. The strength of this film is the editing, edited by the director himself! Several scenes are held for too long making you guess when it’ll cut to someone else to excellent effect. The audio mixing was fantastically spooky as shouting seamlessly blended to the music.
The characters in this film were so believable. Michael Johnston plays a hopeless romantic role effortlessly. But the MVP of this is Inde Navarette who I’d argue plays dual roles. Her emotional shifts control the room heightening the tension and creepiness. Her facial expressions and her physicality perfectly capture the unsettling nature of lust helped by intentional lighting that evoke the work of German expressionism.
The film is shot in a 4x3 ratio giving it a very intimate and old-fashioned feel. The lighting is beautiful casting nice contrasts with the shadows of each actor heightening the uneasy feeling as the story folds. The strength of this film is the editing, edited by the director himself! Several scenes are held for too long making you guess when it’ll cut to someone else to excellent effect. The audio mixing was fantastically spooky as shouting seamlessly blended to the music.
Key Takeaways
What took me by surprise was how the film flipped the narrative concept of a monkey’s paw on its head to critique modern day romantic relationships. Who hasn’t been the person who feared what would happen if they shared their hidden affection to their crush? But Bear’s inability to wrestle and communicate with his own emotions perfectly captures the problem with the nice guy archetype and shows how his decisions affect his reality with grave consequences. The film offers a parable which argues that such a lack of agency can only result in one person becoming the victim as their consent is violated and considered an afterthought to the unchecked desires of those who believe they deserve affection. Justice for Nikki.
What took me by surprise was how the film flipped the narrative concept of a monkey’s paw on its head to critique modern day romantic relationships. Who hasn’t been the person who feared what would happen if they shared their hidden affection to their crush? But Bear’s inability to wrestle and communicate with his own emotions perfectly captures the problem with the nice guy archetype and shows how his decisions affect his reality with grave consequences. The film offers a parable which argues that such a lack of agency can only result in one person becoming the victim as their consent is violated and considered an afterthought to the unchecked desires of those who believe they deserve affection. Justice for Nikki.
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get in touch
Have a project in mind? Whether you’re launching a brand, finding a crew, or elevating your digital presence, we’re here to bring your vision to life.
contact Us.26
get in touch
Have a project in mind? Whether you’re launching a brand, finding a crew, or elevating your digital presence, we’re here to bring your vision to life.