theguardian.com
Toronto Film Festival: Curry Barker's Obsession - A Love Spell Gone Wrong
Curry Barker, a YouTuber turned filmmaker, premiered his film "Obsession" at the Toronto Film Festival, a horror film about a love spell gone wrong that explores the dark side of obsessive love.
- How does "Obsession" build upon Barker's previous work, and what are its stylistic influences?
- Barker's "Obsession" showcases his growth from his low-budget horror film "Milk & Serial." While "Milk & Serial" focused on modern horror tropes, "Obession" draws inspiration from classic horror fables and 1980s schlock horror. This evolution demonstrates Barker's ability to adapt and expand his stylistic range.
- What is the core theme explored in Curry Barker's "Obsession", and what are its immediate implications?
- Obsession" explores the terrifying consequences of an obsessive, non-consensual love. The film portrays how a seemingly desirable wish—having one's crush reciprocate feelings—transforms into a nightmare, highlighting the potential dangers of unchecked desire and the erosion of individuality.
- What are the potential implications of Jason Blum's involvement with Curry Barker, and what does the future hold for the filmmaker?
- Jason Blum's involvement signals a significant step for Barker's career. Blum's backing and experience in horror production could potentially lead to wider distribution and more ambitious projects for Barker. This partnership could establish Barker as a prominent figure in the horror genre.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The review focuses on the film's plot, themes, and execution, providing a balanced perspective of its strengths and weaknesses. While praising the film's creativity and effectiveness, it also points out pacing issues in the latter half. The comparison to other films is used to contextualize the film's place within the horror genre, not to unduly elevate or diminish its merit.
Language Bias
The language used is generally positive and descriptive, avoiding loaded terms or overly subjective judgments. While words like "grotesque," "wince-inducing," and "horrific" are used, they're employed to accurately describe the film's content rather than express a biased opinion.
Bias by Omission
The review doesn't delve into potential political or social commentary within the film, nor does it discuss the potential impact the film might have on viewers. However, given its focus on the film's artistic merit and technical aspects, this omission isn't necessarily biased; it simply reflects a limited scope.
Sustainable Development Goals
The film explores themes of codependency and unhealthy relationships, indirectly touching upon gender dynamics. While not explicitly focused on gender inequality, the narrative prompts reflection on power imbalances and consent within relationships, potentially raising awareness of these issues.