Hi Reader,

Hey friends,

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard the buzz around Obsession by now.

If you're a horror fan, it's worth the price to see it on the big screen. But if you’re a writer or filmmaker, it is exactly the kind of movie you should be paying attention to.

And I don't mean because it’s breaking out, or it’s low budget. Or even because horror keeps proving it's the one genre that can still bring in audiences in 2026.

Underneath all of that, there are real screenwriting lessons here.

Why this movie matters

One of the biggest things Obsession proves is that you don't need a giant, overly complicated concept to grab people. Sometimes the smartest move is the opposite.

A simple premise, clearly understood, with strong emotional danger baked into it from the start, is a huge part of what makes this movie work.

It understands its hook, its tone, and it knows exactly how to aim its discomfort straight at the audience (in the best way).

Know the people, not just the plot

One of the biggest lessons from the film is how well it understands its characters.

And honestly, I think this is where a lot of writers go wrong. They spend so much time thinking about:

• plot
• twists
• worldbuilding
• rules
• the "cool" part of the concept

…that they don’t spend enough time really knowing the people who are supposed to be driving the story. That’s how you end up with flat or interchangeable characters.

Obsession doesn’t have that problem.

It feels like writer-director, Curry Barker, knows who these people are before the horror kicks in and really starts pressing down on them. And because of that, the choices feel more personal, the discomfort hits harder, and the story feels more honest.

The plot grows out of flaw

This was probably my favorite lesson in the whole thing. The main character, Bear, is not just a random guy the horror happens to. Instead, he is a flawed person whose insecurity, fear, and emotional weakness help create the disaster in the first place.

That’s strong writing.

*MILD SPOILER* If Bear had found the courage to be honest at the start, the story would go in a very different direction. But instead, he gives into his fatal flaw and opts for control instead of vulnerability - and that choice is what drives the tragedy that follows.

That’s a great reminder for writers: the best plots grow directly out of the protagonist’s flaw. Not beside it or around it. Because of it.

Voice matters too

Let's face it, there have been a lot of stories about wishes gone wrong. Literal ones, magical ones, emotional ones, obsessive ones.

So what makes this one stand out in such a crowded field? Voice. That’s what makes familiar material feel new.

The film starts on the page, and it's more than just a blueprint for actor's lines and camera shots. It tells the reader (and potential investor, producer, director, actor, or even casual fan) how you see people, and write tension, and how you use subtext, and how your dialogue sounds, and how you shape discomfort, fear, awkwardness, or violence.

More than that, it gives an immediate sense of your style and tone, and if you have something unique to offer to the craft of storytelling.

That’s where writers separate themselves. And Obsession is a really good reminder that you don't need a unique concept to stand out as being unique.

🎥 Watch the full video here: Why Every Screenwriter Needs to Study Obsession​

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And if you’re writing an original genre script and want help getting it stronger, sharper, and more audience-ready, then contact me via:

👉 My coaching calls - great for brainstorming, outlining, character work, and solving story problems early: Book Your Session today!​

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👉 My coverage packages - a great next step if you need meaningful developmental feedback before diving back into the draft: Click here!​

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👉 Rewrite to Greenlight - my ongoing developmental editing program for taking a script from almost there to funding or production-ready: Click here!​

Book a Free Strategy Call Today!

Original stories still matter. And right now, the box office is proving it!

Stay creative!

Neil

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P.S. Check out my feature film, Spin the Wheel - out now on Tubi!

Click here to watch for FREE: https://tubitv.com/movies/100030151/spin-the-wheel​

And see my latest feature, Contamination, now on Amazon (click here)!

Learn more about storytelling, screenwriting, and filmmaking:​ www.neilchasefilm.com.

Looking for in-depth help with your script, story or film? Check out my one-on-one coaching services here.

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