Renowned author Stephen King, considered one of the leading figures in the horror genre thanks to novels such as *It*, *Carrie*, and *The Shining*, surprised his fans by publicly expressing his admiration for *Obsession*, a film that has become one of the most unexpectedcinematic phenomena of 2026.
On his Threads account, the author shared a brief but striking review of the film directed by Curry Barker, a content creator who made the leap from YouTube to film. Although King acknowledged that he didn’t initially give it the highest rating, he confessed that the film has stayed with him ever since he saw it—something he considers a sign of the impact it had on him.
Stephen King’s Opinion on the Movie ‘Obsession’
In his post, the novelist explained that he gave the movie a “B+,” but made it clear that the grade does not fully reflect his impression of it.
“I gave *Obsession* a B+ in my movie log, but I can’t stop thinking about it. It has a strange mix of humor and horror,” King wrote.
The writer’s words were enough to further fuel the conversation on social media, where thousands of horror movie fans celebrated the fact that such an influential figure had recognized the work of an independent production.
This isn’t the first time Stephen King has recommended unconventional movies, but it is one of the few occasions when his endorsement has coincided with a massive commercial success.
“Obsession ” tells the story of a young man deeply in love, played by Michael Johnston, who desperately wants to win the heart of the character played by Inde Navarrette.
However, what begins as a romantic story soon takes a disturbing turn when that desire sets off a series of increasingly dangerous and violent events.
The film combines elements of psychological suspense, supernatural horror, and dark humor—a blend that has been widely praised by both critics and audiences.
An unexpected box office hit
One of the most surprising aspects of the *Obsession* phenomenon has been its extraordinary performance at the global box office.
The film was produced on an estimated budget of between 750,000 and one million dollars, a modest figure by Hollywood standards. However, it went on to gross more than 350 million dollars worldwide, becoming one of the most profitable films of the year.
Added to this is a very favorable reception from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it achieved a 94% approval rating, while critic Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent described it as one of the most chilling horror films released in 2026.
The expert also noted that the film successfully balances moments of genuine horror with carefully integrated scenes of humor, which sets it apart from other recent offerings in the genre.
The success of *Obsession* also marks a major achievement for its director, Curry Barker, who is just 26 years old.
Before this feature film, Barker was best known for his work on YouTube, where he directed *Milk & Serial* (2024), a found-footage film made on a budget of just $800.
Its success has sparked interest in the film industry, especially since it coincides with the release of *Backrooms*, another horror film directed by fellow YouTuber Kane Parsons, which has also garnered a strong response from audiences.
For some critics, the success of both films shows that a new generation of digital filmmakers is transforming the way horror stories are told.
The Future of Horror Movies
Clarisse Loughrey believes that these films reflect an evolution within the genre. According to her analysis, contemporary horror has moved beyond certain classic elements to explore stories that are more direct, intense, and connected to the concerns of younger generations.
He therefore concluded that the future of horror cinema might lie precisely with creators who have emerged from platforms like YouTube, who are proving that it is possible to make successful productions with original ideas, limited budgets, and a unique take on the genre.
Meanwhile, Stephen King’s endorsement only serves to strengthen Obsession as one of the most talked-about and successful films of the year, confirming that there are still films capable of surprising both audiences and one of the most important voices in modern horror.