TIFF Breakout: Focus Features Secures Curry Barker’s Obsession for $15M+

Curry Barker’s Obsession locks a massive $15M+ deal with Focus at TIFF 2025.

via Deadline: https://deadline.com/2025/09/focus-features-closing-first-big-tiff-deal-curry-barker-obsession-1236509445/

The Toronto International Film Festival has landed its first major acquisition—and it’s coming from the Midnight Madness section. Per Deadline, Focus Features is finalizing a deal in the range of $15M+ for Curry Barker’s horror film Obsession, marking one of the fest’s biggest early buys.

The film, which made its world premiere at the Royal Alexandra Theatre at 11:59PM Friday, stars Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette in a twisted tale of desire gone wrong. The story follows a hopeless romantic who makes a wish for his longtime crush to fall in love with him… only to be swept into the grip of a dark and sinister enchantment.

Barker, best known for his viral YouTube horror short Milk & Serial—shot for just $800 and viewed over 2 million times—wrote, directed, and stars in Obsession. While Milk & Serial introduced audiences to his lo-fi style and warped comedic horror tone, Obsession marks his formal feature directorial debut. James Harris serves as producer.

Capstone Global is handling international sales, while CAA Media Finance brokered the domestic deal. Reports indicate the sale includes U.S. rights and select international territories.

With Focus recently breaking out with Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu—which earned $182M globally—Obsession signals another investment in genre storytelling with mass appeal. The title’s buzzy premiere, emerging filmmaker pedigree, and supernatural love story hook all appear to be part of what drove Focus to act quickly.

We’ll catch Obsession ourselves in a few weeks at Fantastic Fest, where the film is also slated to screen. Our full review will follow from the festival floor.