'Obsession' Surges 10% in Third Weekend, Joining Rare Company Since 1982

The indie horror sensation 'Obsession' is shattering box office expectations with an extraordinary performance that defies conventional wisdom about theatrical releases.

The Curry Barker-directed film grew 10% during its third weekend, pulling in $26.4 million. This follows a robust 39% increase the previous weekend, marking an uncommon trajectory for a movie of its profile.

According to Focus Features, 'Obsession' has achieved a milestone that hasn't been reached in decades: it's the first film since 1982's 'E.T. The Extraterrestrial' to deliver back-to-back second and third weekend increases outside the holiday corridor.

The numbers tell an impressive story. The film has accumulated over $106 million domestically and reached $148 million globally, all from a remarkably lean $1 million production budget. The success has also rewritten Focus Features' history books—it's now the studio's highest-grossing release of all time, surpassing 2019's 'Downton Abbey,' which earned $96.8 million in North America.

The film, which opened May 15, centers on a young romantic (Michael Johnston) who breaks a mysterious object called the "One Wish Willow" to impress his love interest (Inde Navarrette). What follows is a cautionary tale: he gets exactly what he wished for, but discovers that fulfilling certain desires carries a dark and sinister cost.

Critical reception has been stellar. The film boasts a 96% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, with audiences giving it a 95% score.

Barker, a 26-year-old director who transitioned from YouTube to feature filmmaking, is now fielding interest for his next venture. One studio has already made a bold move, offering $10 million for his next original project sight unseen, according to sources at The Hollywood Reporter.

The director's debut feature has also generated conversation around its content, with one scene coming close to earning the film an NC-17 rating.