‘Obsession’ stars weigh in on movie success: ‘be careful what you wish for’

Obsession director, Curry Barker was sure he was making a good movie but he didn’t know it would become such a global success.

One year after premiering the movie at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the 26-year-old director returned to the event alongside the film's lead actress, Inde Navarrette.

The pair are still trying to process the success of the movie, made on a $750,000 budget and grossing over $500 million at the global box office, turning Obsession into one of the most profitable productions in Hollywood history.

"It feels like a one-year anniversary of our lives changing," Barker told AFP.

The film's simple premise involves what happens when a wish comes true, revolving around the character Bear (Michael Johnston), who cannot bring himself to admit his crush on his friend Nikki (Inde Navarette).

One night, in a bout of frustration, he makes a wish on a magic branch: that Nikki loved him as much as he loves her and his wish starts to come true, his life takes a turn for the macabre.

"Be careful what you wish for," Barker said with a smile, recognising the phrase also applies to his film's meteoric success.

"What's funny is that I don't think any of us anticipated how big this movie would become, and I think that most of it is a very, very positive thing, and we're so happy that the movie did so well," he said.

However Barker did admit, "It can get scary, and there's pressure for your next thing.”

Meanwhile, for Inde Navarrette, the success of the movie has been a roller coaster, but she is "taking it day by day."

It has undoubtedly led to new opportunities - including the role of Rogue, an X-Men character who can steal other mutants' powers, as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

But the rapid ascent to stardom has been dizzying for the 25-year-old actress.

"I think whenever you're being put in a position like this, it's really important to look back at yourself and go, 'Okay, well, what changes can I do to keep that original creativity and to keep what I can, as much as I can, authentically?' Because it's a lot!" Inde Navarrette told AFP.