From College Dropouts to a $334 Million Blockbuster: The Rise of Obsession

Just a few years ago, Cooper Tomlinson and Curry Barker were two aspiring actors trying to find their place in Los Angeles. The pair first met while standing in line on their first day at the New York Film Academy and quickly bonded over a shared passion for cinema, The Walking Dead, and the music of Weezer. Rather than following a traditional path through film school, they soon realized that creating their own content would provide a far more practical education. They left the acting program, launched a YouTube channel called That’s a Bad Idea, and devoted themselves to producing sketches, short films, web series, and increasingly ambitious independent projects.

The early years were anything but easy. Tomlinson and Barker balanced auditions with writing, directing, shooting, and editing their own material. With little money and no major industry connections, they taught themselves nearly every aspect of filmmaking. Their persistence gradually paid off. The award-winning short film The Chair brought them recognition within independent film circles, while the found-footage horror feature Milk & Serial helped establish them as emerging creative voices worth watching.

The turning point arrived in the summer of 2023. During a gathering celebrating Barker’s guest appearance on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, inspiration struck unexpectedly. Before the sitcom aired, the group happened to be watching an episode of The Simpsons. That seemingly ordinary moment sparked an idea that would eventually transform their careers.

“There was a Simpsons episode on right before It’s Always Sunny that drew an idea Curry’s way. When I went over to his place again the next morning, he was like, ‘Dude, I’ve got this idea for this be-careful-what-you-wish-for thing.’ That’s where Obsession started. The love and the passion for that idea went from zero to 100 just like that, and we were off to the races.”

That concept eventually became Obsession, a supernatural horror film centered on Baron “Bear” Bailey, an insecure young man who lacks the courage to confess his feelings to his friend Nikki Freeman. Rather than expressing his emotions honestly, Bear turns to a mysterious object known as the One Wish Willow and wishes that Nikki would love him more than anyone else in the world. His wish is granted, but in the most horrifying way imaginable. Nikki loses her autonomy and transforms into an obsessive version of herself known as “Freaky Nikki,” while her true consciousness becomes trapped inside her own body.

At one stage, Curry Barker considered casting himself as Bear. Ultimately, however, he chose to focus entirely on directing the project.

“Curry definitely considered playing Bear at one point, but I left it up to him. I think the movie would’ve been great regardless, but he ended up just wanting to direct. He was able to make the best movie possible by being behind the camera and leading the ship. He didn’t have to think about being in front of the camera for his first big movie.”

Tomlinson even stepped into the role during an early screen test before the casting process was finalized.

“When we started to put the movie together at the end of 2023 or top of 2024, I actually got to play Bear in a screen test. We shot the entire wish scene with different actors. I saw some of that footage again recently, and it was so much fun. But as soon as I saw Michael Johnston’s performance, I knew he was the right guy for the role.”

That decision proved to be the correct one. Michael Johnston earned widespread praise for bringing both vulnerability and frustration to Bear, while Inde Navarrette impressed audiences with her portrayal of two dramatically different versions of Nikki.

What began as a modest independent production quickly evolved into one of the industry’s most unexpected success stories. Following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Obsession sparked an intense bidding war among distributors. Focus Features ultimately secured the rights in a deal reportedly worth $15 million. Once released nationwide, the film exceeded every expectation, grossing more than $334 million worldwide and becoming one of the most remarkable horror box-office success stories in recent memory.

For Tomlinson, the achievement represents something much larger than commercial success.

“I think the highest high has been being able to say that I was a part of changing Hollywood to an extent. The business is shifting. When Curry and I came to Los Angeles, we didn’t know anybody. We had no connections. Together, we built something for ourselves.”

The film’s success also generated extensive debate among viewers. One of the most discussed questions concerns whether Nikki genuinely had feelings for Bear before the wish was made. Tomlinson believes she did.

“There’s that moment where she asks him straight up, ‘Do you like me?’ If he had told her the truth in that moment, I think she would have given him a chance. She was looking for the honesty she had always wanted from him, and he didn’t give it to her.”

In addition to acting in the film, Tomlinson drew attention for his portrayal of Ian, Bear’s complicated best friend. According to the actor, Ian’s motivations were never entirely innocent.

“There’s a part of Ian that was jealous of Bear and still wanted Nikki for himself. He finds a way to seem supportive, but he also knows that his advice could ruin things for Bear. He’s the devil on the shoulder. He likes stirring the pot and controlling what happens.”

As their success continues to grow, many have wondered whether the pair ever experienced moments of doubt or failure during their years of collaboration. Interestingly, Tomlinson views even their struggles as valuable parts of the journey.

“There really haven’t been many lows. All the rejection and trial and error are just part of the process. The hardest thing is feeling like there’s never enough time. I’m just trying to enjoy every moment of this incredible adventure.”

Unlike many young Hollywood personalities who frequently find themselves in the spotlight because of relationships or controversies, Tomlinson has largely maintained a private personal life. Most public discussions surrounding him focus on his creative work rather than celebrity gossip. To date, he has avoided major scandals and has built a reputation as a dedicated artist committed to his craft.

Following the success of Obsession, Tomlinson and Barker moved forward with their next project, Anything But Ghosts, a supernatural horror-comedy set within the same fictional universe. The film features Aaron Paul in a supporting role, creating a memorable full-circle moment for both filmmakers.

Back in 2019, while attending a screening of El Camino, they unexpectedly crossed paths with the Breaking Bad star.

“We were walking toward the bathroom, and Aaron was coming the other way. I noticed him, but Curry didn’t. We literally bumped into Aaron. None of us imagined that six years later we’d be making a movie with him.”

When asked what memory he would most likely revisit with Barker decades from now, Tomlinson did not point to the film’s extraordinary box-office numbers or its glamorous premieres. Instead, he recalled a far simpler moment from before anyone knew what Obsession would become.

“I’ll say, ‘Do you remember when we invited all our friends over and did a table read of the script?’ At that point there was no money behind the project at all. We just loved the story and had so much fun reading it together. We were simply hoping that one day we might actually get to make the movie.”

From two film-school dropouts creating videos on YouTube to the creative minds behind one of the decade’s biggest box-office phenomena, Cooper Tomlinson and Curry Barker have emerged as symbols of a changing Hollywood. At a time when independent creators have more opportunities than ever before to break through traditional industry barriers, the success of Obsession stands as a powerful example of how passion, persistence, and self-belief can reshape a career and, perhaps, an entire corner of the film industry.