# Obsession

**Obsession** is a word with a primary meaning in psychology and a long list of uses as a title in film, music, television, and literature.

| Key facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Notable film, 1976 | Psychological thriller directed by Brian De Palma, scored by Bernard Herrmann<sup>[1](https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/obsession)</sup> |
| Notable film, 2025 | Horror film written and directed by Curry Barker<sup>[2](https://time.com/article/2026/05/13/obsession-curry-barker-interview/)</sup> |

## Psychology

In psychological usage, obsession denotes a persistent attachment to an object or idea.

## Film

**Early and classic films.** The 1976 American film *Obsession*, directed by [Brian De Palma](https://www.edgepedia.org/brian-de-palma), stars [Cliff Robertson](https://www.edgepedia.org/cliff-robertson) and [Geneviève Bujold](https://www.edgepedia.org/genevieve-bujold), was photographed by Vilmos Zsigmond and scored by Bernard Herrmann.<sup>[1](https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/obsession)</sup> Its plot follows businessman Michael Courtland, whose wife Elizabeth and daughter Amy are kidnapped in 1959; Elizabeth dies in the failed rescue attempt, while Amy survives but is also believed dead by Michael; after years of mourning he travels to Italy and meets Sandra Portinari, a look-alike of his wife who is later revealed to be Amy.<sup>[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1015361-obsession)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[7](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/obsession-1976)</sup> Sony Pictures, which notes the film is often compared to Hitchcock's *Vertigo* because of the protagonist's obsessive attempt to recreate his lost love, has released a newly remastered edition.<sup>[1](https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/obsession)</sup>

**The 2025 film.** *[Obsession](https://www.edgepedia.org/obsession-2025-film)* (2025) is an American horror film written and directed by [Curry Barker](https://www.edgepedia.org/curry-barker).<sup>[2](https://time.com/article/2026/05/13/obsession-curry-barker-interview/)</sup> Its premise, as summarized by Metacritic, follows a hopeless romantic who breaks the mysterious "One Wish Willow" toy to win his crush's heart, gets exactly what he asked for, and discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.<sup>[4](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/obsession-2025/)</sup> A Psychology Today review describes the result: the protagonist Bear's wish for unconditional love transforms his crush Nicky, like Midas's touch, into a codependent love addict that incarnates his fantasy rather than a separate person.<sup>[5](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/authenticity-101/202606/obsession-film-review)</sup> In an interview with TIME, Barker said he used the "be careful what you wish for" trope to explore how wishes tend to be selfish: "Any time you wish for something, it's probably going to be selfish," he said.<sup>[2](https://time.com/article/2026/05/13/obsession-curry-barker-interview/)</sup> The microbudget thriller became a viral sensation, with coverage in The Independent referencing [Steven Spielberg](https://www.edgepedia.org/steven-spielberg) and a "Disclosure Day" event as commentators tried to interpret the film.<sup>[6](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/youtube-obsession-new-york-curry-steven-spielberg-b2996668.html)</sup>

## Music, television and other uses

The title has been used especially heavily in music.

## References

1. Sony Pictures Entertainment, "Obsession". https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/obsession
2. TIME, "'Obsession' Filmmaker Curry Barker Breaks Down the Film's Horrifying Twist". https://time.com/article/2026/05/13/obsession-curry-barker-interview/
3. Rotten Tomatoes, "Obsession". https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1015361-obsession
4. Metacritic, "Obsession Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/movie/obsession-2025/
5. Psychology Today, "Film Review: 'Obsession' Explores the Horror of Love Overgained". https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/authenticity-101/202606/obsession-film-review
6. The Independent, "'Obsession' is a sensation". https://www.independent.co.uk/news/youtube-obsession-new-york-curry-steven-spielberg-b2996668.html
7. rogerebert.com, https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/obsession-1976

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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Awards and screen reference › Screen reference overview and awards-season context*

*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026*

*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*

License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license