Curry Barker is also entering the awards race across three major creative categories this season
Pop Culture & ArtSeptember 03, 20262 min readPhoto: Reuters
Inde Navarrette is officially at the centre of Focus Features’ Oscar campaign for Obsession, with the distributor positioning the breakout actress for a best actress nomination as the horror film continues its remarkable theatrical run. Variety reported on September 3 that Navarrette will be submitted in the lead actress category as Focus Features prepares an extensive awards campaign for Curry Barker’s film.
The decision puts Navarrette at the heart of a campaign that reaches across a wide selection of Academy Award categories. Her performance as Nikki has become one of the major talking points surrounding the film, which stars Michael Johnston opposite her as Bear, a young man whose attempt to win over his crush takes an increasingly disturbing turn after he uses the mysterious One Wish Willow.
Focus Features is also backing Barker in three major creative categories. The filmmaker will be submitted for best director, original screenplay and film editing, reflecting the unusually broad range of responsibilities he handled on the production. Barker wrote, directed and edited Obsession, with Focus Features presenting that combination as a key part of the film’s awards case.
The campaign arrives after Obsession became a striking theatrical success despite its extremely modest production budget. Focus Features acquired worldwide rights to the film after its festival run, with the picture later turning into a major box office performer. In June, Variety reported that the film had reached $265m globally and had become the highest grossing release in Focus Features history at that point.
The film’s origins make its awards momentum particularly notable. Barker first gained attention through online comedy and horror projects before making Obsession. Focus Features describes him as a writer, director and editor whose earlier work included the viral horror film Milk & Serial.
The story follows Bear after he uses the One Wish Willow in an attempt to make Nikki fall deeply in love with him. His wish appears to work, but the consequences quickly become horrifying. Navarrette’s character becomes central to the film’s escalating psychological terror, giving the actress a demanding role that shifts between romance, menace and supernatural horror.
Focus Features plans to submit Obsession for best picture, best actor for Johnston, supporting actor for Cooper Tomlinson and Andy Richter, supporting actress for Megan Lawless, casting, production design, cinematography, costume design, makeup and hairstyling, sound and original score. The studio will also pursue recognition for Barker in best director, original screenplay and film editing.
The campaign gives Navarrette a potentially significant breakthrough at the Academy Awards after her performance helped drive attention around one of 2026’s biggest unexpected theatrical hits. Focus Features is effectively using the film’s commercial success, Barker’s unusual creative role and Navarrette’s central performance as the pillars of its awards strategy.
There is still another awards decision to be settled. Focus Features and the filmmakers have yet to confirm whether Obsession will compete in the drama category or the musical or comedy category at the Golden Globes. That decision could shape another part of the film’s awards season journey.
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