The Broken Magic of Wishes: Why Curry Barker’s ‘Obsession’ Sequel Idea is Both Brilliant and Baffling
There’s something irresistibly human about the concept of wishes. We’ve all daydreamed about what we’d ask for if given the chance—wealth, love, revenge, or maybe just a really good cup of coffee. But what happens when wishes become the backbone of a horror film? Curry Barker’s Obsession dives into this territory, and personally, I think it’s a premise that’s as intriguing as it is flawed. Barker himself admits the film has a glaring plot hole, and yet, he’s already teasing a sequel or anthology series. This raises a deeper question: can a story built on shaky logic still captivate us?
The Plot Hole That’s Too Good to Ignore
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: the One Wish Willow. In Obsession, this mysterious object grants everyone exactly one wish, no strings attached—or so it seems. The problem? If wishes were this easy, the world would be chaos. Dragons would roam the streets, and reality would collapse under the weight of human greed. Barker acknowledges this, calling it a plot hole he’d rather not think about. What makes this particularly fascinating is his attempt to patch it up with alternate realities. Every wish, he suggests, creates a parallel universe where that wish comes true. But here’s where it gets messy: if that’s the case, why does money fall from the ceiling in one scene? It’s a detail that I find especially interesting because it highlights the tension between creative ambition and logical consistency.
From my perspective, this plot hole isn’t just a flaw—it’s an opportunity. What many people don’t realize is that horror often thrives on ambiguity and absurdity. The One Wish Willow doesn’t need to make sense; it just needs to be terrifying. Barker’s willingness to lean into the brokenness of his concept could be the key to making a sequel work.
The Anthology Angle: A Wish Gone Wild
Barker’s idea for an anthology series is where things get really exciting. Imagine a Black Mirror-esque exploration of wishes gone horribly wrong, each episode directed by a different filmmaker. One thing that immediately stands out is the potential for creativity. A wish for immortality could lead to a dystopian nightmare; a wish for love could unravel into obsession. If you take a step back and think about it, this format could sidestep the plot hole entirely by treating each wish as a contained story.
Personally, I think this approach could be genius. It allows Barker to explore the psychological and cultural implications of wishes without being tied down to a single narrative. What this really suggests is that the One Wish Willow isn’t just a plot device—it’s a metaphor for human desire and its consequences.
The Broader Trend: Why We Love Broken Stories
Obsession isn’t the first story to grapple with internal inconsistencies, and it won’t be the last. From Lost to Inception, audiences have shown a willingness to forgive plot holes if the storytelling is compelling enough. What makes Obsession stand out, though, is Barker’s transparency. He’s not pretending his film is perfect; he’s inviting us to engage with its flaws.
In my opinion, this is a refreshing change. Too often, filmmakers try to polish their work to the point of sterility. Barker’s approach feels more human, more honest. It’s like he’s saying, ‘Yeah, it’s broken, but isn’t that what makes it interesting?’
The Future of Wishes: Where Does Obsession Go From Here?
If Barker does move forward with a sequel or anthology, I hope he leans into the chaos. The One Wish Willow doesn’t need to be fixed; it needs to be embraced for the narrative grenade it is. A sequel could explore the consequences of wishes on a larger scale, while an anthology could dive into the personal, psychological toll.
One thing I’m curious about is how Barker would handle the alternate reality theory. Would each wish create a new timeline, or would they all collide in some horrifying convergence? This raises a deeper question: what happens when our desires outstrip our ability to control them?
Final Thoughts: The Beauty of Imperfection
Obsession is far from perfect, but that’s what makes it so compelling. Barker’s willingness to acknowledge its flaws while still dreaming big is a testament to the power of storytelling. Personally, I’m rooting for him to take this broken concept and turn it into something truly unforgettable.
If you take a step back and think about it, isn’t that what art is all about? Embracing the messy, the contradictory, the human. And in a world where wishes come true, isn’t that the scariest thing of all?
