The Rise of Curry Barker in the Horror Genre
Before the psychological scare that characterized the horrors of ‘Obsession,’ Curry Barker was already revolutionizing horror on YouTube. Working with Cooper Tomlinson on an indie channel, the YouTube creator-turned-studio director transformed a meager $800 budget into the viral hit film, ‘Milk & Serial,’ which led to him being regarded as a genius horror creator.
Currently, Curry Barker’s filmmaking skills are showcased once again in a film that twists a classic horror trope on the big screen. Using the famous cautionary tale of the “Monkey’s Paw,” ‘Obsession’ features a man who makes a wish that results in terrible supernatural occurrences. Backed by Blumhouse, this terrifying horror film cleverly trades cheap shocks for a spine-chilling investigation of an emotionally toxic, deeply obsessive attachment.
Obsession Twisted The Traditional “Monkey’s Paw” Formula
Discussing ‘Obsession’ with Variety, Curry Barker revealed that the film’s hidden inspiration came from a classic ‘The Simpsons’ episode where “Bart gets a monkey paw and causes a bunch of chaos.” While noting that audiences have seen the “Be careful what you wish for” trope tons of times, Barker wanted to put his own unique spin on the concept by turning it into a “straight crazy horror.”
Based on the fable by W.W. Jacobs, “The Monkey’s Paw” is a classic horror concept where a person’s wish is granted literally, but through a tragic loophole that carries a horrific, unintended cost. It serves as a psychological cautionary tale about the dangers of tampering with fate to force an unnatural outcome. Rather than depicting a sweet love story, the filmmaker uses this subverted wish-fulfillment concept to demonstrate how forcing a relationship is psychologically scarring.
Related: Why ‘Obsession’ Director Wanted Nikki To Act Like A Jealous Girlfriend
The “Monkey’s Paw” concept plays a vital part in ‘Obsession’ because it gives the film its unique themes and a new level of complexity. Moreover, the director himself describes the movie as a horror experience that goes beyond traditional filmmaking. Unlike other movies featuring supernatural elements, ‘Obsession’ tells the dark story of the protagonist’s relationship.
It is noteworthy that the script of the movie underwent many modifications over several months before the involvement of Blumhouse. Ultimately, the discussion of hidden inspirations for ‘Obsession’ reveals the deep themes that lie beneath the horror.
Milk & Serial Helped Launch Curry Barker’s Horror Career
As stated above, before directing ‘Obsession,’ Curry Barker established himself as one of the hottest rising voices of modern horror film creation through Milk & Serial, an indie horror movie.
Written and directed by Curry Barker and produced alongside his key creative partner, the movie was released on That’s A Bad Idea, an independent YouTube channel dedicated to horror comedies and horror shorts.
Notably, the production cost of the film reportedly did not exceed $800; nevertheless, it managed to draw immense attention from viewers.
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In addition to his role as the director, Curry Barker took on multiple responsibilities while filming. Thus, the movie not only stars but is written, edited, and scored by the same man.
Moreover, Milk & Serial became one of the rare examples of an indie horror movie that relied mainly on psychological terror achieved by tense atmosphere and realism rather than expensive effects.
Ultimately, the movie quickly brought its creator fame and helped him establish himself as one of the hottest filmmakers. Curry Barker’s unusual career path—from internet video creator to studio film director—became quite impressive.
Furthermore, the success of his independent project paved the way for bigger productions, such as ‘Obsession.’
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