{"id":595539,"date":"2026-05-21T04:02:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T04:02:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/595539\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T04:02:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T04:02:20","slug":"curry-barker-on-franchising-obsession-and-the-darkness-in-comedy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/595539\/","title":{"rendered":"Curry Barker on Franchising Obsession and the Darkness in Comedy"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

Before 26-year-old filmmaker Curry Barker<\/a> dipped his toes into horror with the no-budget YouTube sensation Milk & Serial, he was part of a sketch comedy duo called \u201cThat\u2019s a Bad Idea.\u201d With Obsession<\/a>, Barker continues a growing trend of comedians turning to horror for their big theatrical debuts, following the likes of Jordan Peele<\/a>, Zach Cregger<\/a>, and the Philippou<\/a> brothers. But what makes comedians so great at horror?<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like there\u2019s a darkness in comedy. So you see those [horror] sensibilities there already,\u201d Barker explains. \u201cAs a comedian, you\u2019re constantly studying the human condition, you\u2019re constantly studying \u2018how can I make fun of humans?\u2019 When you\u2019re always studying the psychology of why people do things, [those skills] lends itself really well to horror.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related: Best Horror Movies of 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Perhaps then it shouldn\u2019t have been a surprise to Barker when Milk & Serial made Variety\u2019s list of the best horror films of 2024<\/a>, alongside titles like The Substance <\/a>and Nosferatu<\/a>. \u201cI can\u2019t believe [Milk & Serial] is being compared to movies with huge theatrical releases\u2026 There was zero budget for it, it was a hobby project. Not only did it not feel like a real movie to me, it felt like an old movie [Barker sat on the movie for a year]. Posting it online was like a \u2018whatever.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

What isn\u2019t a \u201cwhatever\u201d is his latest film, Obsession<\/a>, which has already become a critical<\/a> and commercial success, scoring better reviews than any other horror film of the year (don\u2019t believe us? Check out our guide!<\/a>). Despite its rapturous reception, it started with humble beginnings as a short film concept that Barker took a chance on and pitched to producer James Harris as a feature. \u201cI pitched him Obsession<\/a>, and he liked it enough. He said write the script and we\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n

So what\u2019s next for Barker? He\u2019s been tapped to write and direct a Texas Chainsaw Massacre <\/a>movie for A24, and might have plans to franchise Obsession<\/a>\u2018s version of a monkey\u2019s paw. \u201cWhen we created the One Wish Willow, it was something that I kind of thought \u2018wouldn\u2019t it be cool if it became a thing?\u2019 And now, [the One Wish Willow] is almost an IP. \u2026 Any wish is kind of selfish\u2026 So there\u2019s a lot of stories to explore with that.\u201d So if your wish is to see more Obsession<\/a> films, it might just come true.<\/p>\n

Check out the full\u00a0Seen on the Screen<\/a>\u00a0episode above, where Barker talks about\u00a0Aaron Sorkin<\/a>, Obsession<\/a>\u2019s ending, and what it was like to shoot at the same music shop as Wayne\u2019s World<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Obsession<\/a> is in theaters everywhere. Buy tickets now on Fandango<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Seen on the Screen is a Universal Entertainment and Fandango podcast series hosted by Jacqueline Coley, Awards Editor at Rotten Tomatoes.<\/p>\n

Claim your ticket to witness the personal narratives happening behind the scenes of film and entertainment! Each episode invites you into intimate conversations with filmmakers, actors, and industry insiders. Blending sharp cinematic trivia with thoughtfully crafted interview questions, Jacqueline leads each guest through a rich, reflective journey into their lifelong relationship with entertainment. From the formative movie\u2011going experiences that shaped their artistic worldview to their career\u2011defining moves \u2014 asking them to reflect on the films that have rocked their world, scared the daylights out of them, and changed them forever.<\/p>\n

Follow and listen to Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley wherever you listen to podcasts.
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