Inde Navarrette Went Into 'Obsession' Planning Not to Make Friends
Inde Navarrette started work on Obsession with a strict rule for herself: "I don't want to make any friends." The actor said she set the rule to stay focused and do the role justice, speaking at a Focus Features screening event covered by The Hollywood Reporter on 18 September 2026.
She said close friendships on set would have made it harder to step away. She feared she would feel scared to hurt someone's feelings if she needed to leave a chat to prepare for a scene. She wanted room to reset.
Navarrette said she and writer-director Curry Barker kept that boundary clear during the shoot. When she needed five minutes to get herself together, the relationship stayed professional. They have since become friends.
The remarks came during an onstage conversation with Barker and Navarrette after a special screening at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Barker said asking Navarrette to make a fool of herself in front of the crew was asking a lot. He wanted to keep the set playful.
Barker said he had written Nikki, Navarrette's character, as a sweet, girl-next-door type. Navarrette brought something sassier and flirtier to the part. That shift was clear even in the chemistry read.
Obsession centres on Bear, played by Michael Johnston, and the fallout from a wish that makes his crush Nikki fall for him. Nikki is Bear's friend and co-worker. Too afraid to admit his feelings, Bear buys a novelty toy called "One Wish" instead, a detail outlined in earlier reporting on the film.
Focus Features released the film in theatres on 15 May after acquiring it out of TIFF's Midnight Madness, the Toronto International Film Festival's late-night section for horror and genre titles, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Barker directed and wrote the film, and also served as editor.
The release has turned into a striking box-office run. Obsession has passed US$500 million worldwide from a US$750,000 budget, The Hollywood Reporter reported on 18 September 2026. Worldwide means ticket sales from all markets combined. The cast also includes Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless and Andy Richter.
What makes this stand out is the contrast. On screen, the story is about wanting closeness at any cost. Off screen, its lead was asking for distance to play that longing properly.
