Curry Barker, the writer-director behind the sensational horror film *Obsession*, shared his whirlwind experience of newfound fame at the 2026 Time100 Next Gala in New York City. Speaking with *PEOPLE*, Barker candidly expressed that the massive success of his film still feels surreal. “Everything’s a blur,” he remarked, noting that the rapid ascent to prominence has left him struggling to fully grasp the situation.
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*Obsession* has proven to be a breakout hit this year, captivating audiences and dominating the box office, yet Barker admits he has had little time to let it all sink in. At the gala, held on 29th October, he remarked, “It happens so fast, there’s no way for it to settle in. It still feels super fake.”
His presence at the star-studded event was further highlighted by a tribute from comedian Seth Rogen, who praised Barker’s work in a piece for *Time*’s 2026 list of the world’s most influential rising stars. Rogen referred to *Obsession* as a “cultural phenomenon” and hinted that Barker’s upcoming film, *Anything But Ghosts*, could be even better. Barker recalled his reaction to Rogen’s tribute, describing it as one of the best moments of his life: “I was like, ‘This is awesome. What a stamp of approval.’”
The director reflected on how dramatically his life has changed over the past year. Just 12 months ago, he was in the thick of preparations for *Anything But Ghosts* and had only ambitious hopes for *Obsession*. At that point, he could not have anticipated being recognised as a rising talent within Hollywood. “This time last year, no,” Barker said. “I was in heavy prep for *Anything But Ghosts*, and I was excited that TIFF had already happened, so *Obsession* had already been picked up.”
Barker reminisced about the cautious optimism he held for *Obsession*, which was produced in a remarkably short span of 20 days and had a budget of just $750,000. “The conversation was like, ‘I hope it makes $10 million in the box office,’” he remembered. “But seriously, that was the conversation — 10, maybe $20 million. It was an indie movie, very small.”
In stark contrast to those modest projections, *Obsession* became one of the highest-grossing horror films in history. It accrued an astounding $17.2 million in its opening weekend, with a surprising 39% increase in ticket sales during its second weekend, totalling $23.9 million. Ultimately, the film grossed a staggering $523 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film ever made on a budget of under $1 million.
The success of *Obsession* has further ignited discussions surrounding potential awards recognition. Reports suggest that Focus Features is developing a campaign for the film, buoyed by its impressive box office performance. According to *Variety*, Barker is being considered for accolades including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, while lead star Inde Navarrette is a contender for Best Actress, and Michael Johnston for Best Actor.
As Barker adjusts to this unexpected journey in the limelight, *Obsession* continues to attract attention, now available for streaming on Peacock. The horror thriller, which features performances from Navarrette and Johnston, has left an indelible mark on audiences and the film industry alike.
As Barker embraces this new phase of his career, he remains grounded amidst the accolades and excitement. For now, he seems intent on navigating this incredible ride while preparing for the release of his next project, with aspirations of delivering even greater work for audiences to enjoy.
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