We’re experiencing one of the greatest pop-cultural sensations in recent memory thanks to Focus Features’ latest horror hit, Obsession. Directed by 26-year-old YouTuber Curry Barker, this dark blend of drama, romance, dark comedy, and intense terror has been stirring up all sorts of success and acclaim in 2026, and it’s only getting started. From its huge $300 million box office take so far to breakout star Inde Navarrette‘s captivating Oscar-worthy performance, there’s no doubt it’s on its way to instant horror royalty.

Fans can’t seem to get enough of Obsession. We’ve become fixated on this alluring, thought-provoking modern horror classic and all its glory. It has this way of keeping us coming back for more. In honor of Barker’s masterful horror achievement, why don’t you go check out the films from the years that feel similar to it? The following ten are movies Obsession fans will love for how they’ve captured their similar themes, style, tone, and story beats. They’re not entirely like this one-of-a-kind masterpiece, but they come close enough.

10

‘Keeper’ (2025)

Image via Neon

Osgood Perkins, another rising star in the horror filmmaking world, just like Barker, was riding high in 2025 with a string of modest successes, most notably Keeper. This unique psychological thriller sees his new incredible collaborator, Tatiana Maslany, as a woman worried that something strange and supernatural is lurking in a cabin in the woods that her new boyfriend brought her to for their anniversary. As her fears soon become justified, she begins questioning why her boyfriend brought her there in the first place.

One of the most fascinating folk horror films of the 2020s so far, Keeper draws you in with an interesting mystery, bizarre imagery, and intense suspense. Fans of Obsession would get a kick out of its mix of fantasy and horror, as well as its similar themes about the complexities of romance, manipulative partners, and the feelings of being trapped in a relationship. It’ll shock anyone looking for a scary good time.

9

‘Ingrid Goes West’ (2017)

Image Via Neon

Few films nowadays tackle the dangers of social media better than 2017’s Ingrid Goes West. Directed by Matt Spicer, this highly underrated black comedy drama explores internet stalking in a darkly fascinating way, following Aubry Plaza as Ingrid Thorburn, a self-destructing media-obsessed fan-girl who latches onto the life of her latest favorite Instagram personality, a socialite named Taylor Sloane (Elizabeth Olsen).

Ingrid Goes West is a darkly satirical critique of social media culture, the loneliness it brings, and the unfulfilled dreams it inspires. Like Obsession, it blends drama and comedy in a thought-provoking narrative that says a lot about today’s society and our growing insecurities around other people. It’s not scary or intense, but it’s a gripping story that Obsession fans could easily enjoy and note further similarities.

8

‘Strange Darling’ (2023)

Image via Magenta Light Studios

Arguably the most underappreciated psychological thriller of 2023, J.T. Mollner‘s Strange Darling should be your next go-to for shocking, unexpected entertainment. Told in a non-chronological order, it sees Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner as two strangers who hook up one night, only for their encounter to turn into a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse. But which one is the victim, and who is the one on a bloody rampage?

Strange Darling is a wild, bloody, and psychologically twisted indie cult classic that instantly sucks you into a unique mystery where nothing is what it initially appears to be. Its non-linear approach makes it a compelling nailbiter that constantly has you on the edge of your seat, wondering what’s truly happening and just who is the real villain here. Obsession fans can enjoy this one’s dark approach to romance, as well as its inclusion of a captivating female villain in the form of Willa Fitzgerald’s “The Lady,” a performance that echoes the horror of Inde Navarrette’s Nikki.

7

‘Ruby Sparks’ (2012)

Image via Fox Searchlight Pictures

While far from being considered a horror movie, this next entry has similar themes to Obsession in more ways than any other film on this list. Released in 2012, Ruby Sparks is a romantic comedy that adds a fresh spin on the genre. Paul Dano stars as a young writer who creates a new novel centering around a beautiful woman named Ruby Sparks (Zoe Kazan), whom he came up with in a dream one night, only to have his fictional character literally leap from his pages into the real world as his new girlfriend.

It’s not hard to point out the similar connection this rom-com has with horror’s next greatest hit, since both stories center around a man conjuring up a perfect version of a woman and then having their wish magically come true, but just not in the way they expected. Ruby Sparks also strongly critiques loneliness and the anxiety of the dating world, pointing out struggles that so many of us face today. There’s no denying that, although these films are genres apart, they share common ideas.

6

‘Fatal Attraction’ (1987)

Image Via Paramount Pictures

Arguably the most obvious film to watch if you’re a fan of Obsession, 1987’s Fatal Attraction perhaps became the most iconic cinematic depiction of toxic relationships. It’s one of the most stressful thrillers of the 1980s, a gripping blend of romance, drama, and a bit of horror that constantly keeps you glued to the screen. Glen Close and Academy Award winner Michael Douglas star in a tale of lust and murder when a Manhattan attorney’s brief love affair with a beautiful publishing editor turns into his worst nightmare when the woman treats everything he holds dear to have him all to herself.

Fatal Attractions was a box-office smash hit when it came out, becoming highly regarded as a classic and praised for its star, Glen Close, for her powerhouse, nailbiting performance as the obsessed, scorned lover, Alex Forrest. Of course, this film’s themes of obsessive need for love and control, combined with the depiction of psychological manipulation and murder, would intrigue any Obsession enthusiast out there.

5

‘Single White Female’ (1992)

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Having a roommate never seemed so terrifying until Single White Female came out. This legendary ’90s thriller practically made many viewers paranoid about who they were rooming with, as it’s the quintessential obsession-stalker thriller of the 20th century. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Bridget Fonda star in this tense tale of a young woman in a struggling engagement as she takes in a mysterious but supportive new roommate. However, she slowly notices strange behavior from her new friend and realizes she’s harboring jealousy and murderous intent.

Single White Female is one of the most suspenseful, intense, and uncomfortable stalker films ever made. Its pacing is excellent, the story well-crafted, and it’s all elevated by two captivating lead performances by the main actresses, with the notable standout being Oscar nominee Jennifer Jason Leigh, whose turn as the obsessive, manipulative Hedra Carlson is a career-defining highlight. It’s easy to see the connections between her performance and Inde Navarrette’s role, as both are subtle about how sinister their characters are under the surface of a smile, and both have the ability to switch between kind and innocent to a possessive, murdering monster.

4

‘Companion’ (2025)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

One of 2025’s shining horror highlights, Drew Hancock‘s Companion is a delightful blend of horror and comedy that, like Obsession, offers a dark, unique spin on co-dependency and toxic relationships. Giving one of the most remarkable performances of her rising career, Sophie Thatcher stars as an innocent, sentient android companion who becomes a pawn in her despicable owner’s (Jack Quaid) murderous plan to secure a large fortune.

Companion is a wild, bloody, and uproariously hilarious dark comedy that perfectly balances between the two genres without delving too heavily into one or the other. Fans of Obsession would enjoy its unique story and thematic connections to Barker’s story, as both feature deadly relationships caused by the male partner controlling the female to act as a subservient robot. There’s no denying how similar these two films are, and both can be equally appreciated.

3

‘Get Out’ (2017)

Image via Universal Pictures

Combining brilliant psychological thrills with a twisted sense of humor, it’s no wonder Obsession fans could get a kick out of watching Jordan Peele‘s 2017 masterpiece Get Out. Arguably one of the most iconic horror films of this century, it’s a well-crafted, perfectly acted, and flawlessly written thriller that is a blast from start to finish. Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya stars as an African American photographer who fights for his life after his seemingly innocent trip to meet his new girlfriend’s wealthy family turns out to be a horrible trap.

Jordan Peele and Curry Barker started their careers in the comedy world before ultimately transitioning into horror, and both hit the ground running with tremendous success with their first films. Those who are fans of Barker’s work can spot and appreciate the obvious mix of hilarious dark humor blended in with Peele’s tense, nail-biting story. Both use their background in comedy to set up the terror of their unique stories and make them stand out in such incredible ways that no one can deny their remarkableness.

2

‘Audition’ (1999)

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Truly one of the darkest, most shockingly disgusting horror movies tackling relationships you’ll ever experience is Audition. This masterful Takashi Miike-directed shocker has haunted the minds of those who experienced it ever since it first shocked the world in 1999. Ryo Ishibashi and Eihi Shiina lead in this twisted tale of love, abuse, and revenge, centering around a widowed father who sets up a fake production to find his next love, only to find that his chosen woman slowly reveals that she’s on a bloody quest for vengeance.

It’s an eerie, slow-burning story that first lures you into a false sense of security before quickly building in tension, leading up to one of the most intense and brutal torture sequences in cinematic history. Audition is another compelling take, just like Obsession, on romance in horror. It shows its ugliness and dark side, how trauma and grief can affect relationships, and that they can end with bloody results.

1

‘Possession’ (1981)

Finally, there’s no denying that the horror movie that connects with Obsession the most is Possession, the 1981 masterpiece by Andrzej Żuławski. It’s a near-flawless classic, featuring Oscar-caliber acting, incredible writing, and sharp direction, able to keep you hooked until the shocking finale. The remarkable Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill star as a struggling couple in Berlin as their crumbling marriage coincides with the wife’s mind and body slowly being taken over by an unnatural force.

It’s a film that is simply too hard and shocking to look away from. The terror is well-paced, and the mystery and suspense are excellent. But, for Obsession fans, the best things to appreciate about Possession are its story and performances. Both tackle hard truths about love and the complexities of being with a partner. And the horror stems from how both these relationships are corrupted by a supernatural event. And, there’s no looking past the fact that Isabelle Adjani’s stupendous performance as the possessed wife Anna has similarities that match the intensity and raw emotion of Inde Navarrette’s role as Nikki. Truly, this is a must-watch for those who absolutely love Barker’s film.

Possession

Release Date

May 25, 1981

Runtime

124 Minutes

Director

Andrzej Zulawski

Writers

Andrzej Zulawski