My Takeaway from "Obsession"

“Obsession” – the widely-acclaimed indie film released earlier this year – left me with a profoundly disturbed impression. But not for the reason you might think.

First and foremost, it was a horrifying watch. Luckily, I saw Obsession with a friend. I believe the first comment uttered from his mouth after leaving the theater was “that was the most screwed-up movie I’ve ever seen.” Regretfully, I nodded in agreement.

But not because it was a messed-up flick. I mean, yes, it was that. Most definitely. But I had nodded in agreement not only because it was messed-up but because the film captured something beyond those disturbing elements. It captured something true about life that I wished wasn’t...

First, a very brief overview… (I’m about to spoil the premise btw so read no further if you haven’t seen it and/or have a desire to watch it) Okay, so “Obsession” basically focuses on one man named Bear and his zealous infatuation with a girl in his friend group. On a whim, Bear makes a wish that she falls in love with him and, voila, the wish is granted. What then occurs is a total nightmare. The girl not only falls in love with him, she immediately becomes utterly, well… obsessed. To the point where she tapes the door shut so he can’t leave their house, digs up the grave of his beloved deceased cat in an effort to impress him, and many other psychotic antics.

But the part about the story that felt the most disturbing to me was not actually her behavior. It was his. You see, Bear plays along with her insanity the whole way through. Why? Well, as far as he is concerned, he finally has her love. Her attention. Her admiration. Her devotion. Overnight, Bear basically goes from being friend-zoned to an utter god in her eyes.

My takeaway is that the movie is really about integrity. Throughout the story, Bear has ample opportunity to do the right thing and return her to normal. But he chooses not to. And it is within this very choice, this selfish decision, that the movie captures a painful reality about human nature. One that I hate to even admit. That people typically do not do the right thing as long as they ultimately get what they want.

So what does that say about us?

It could mean that we are irredeemably corrupt as a species. It could mean that male loneliness can lead to an unhealthy dominance over women. It could legitimately mean a lot of negative things about who we are.

But me being the optimistic that I am, I believe Obsession ultimately highlights how we have a choice. We can always turn back from our selfishness and cruelty, and set things right. And why do I have this optimism? Because for every Bear, there is an Atticus Finch. For every Bear, there is an Oskar Schindler. For every Bear, there is a Samwise Gamgee. There is a person willing to do the right thing even when it doesn't help them personally.

It's either that or suffer the same consequences as Bear, sacrificing our integrity for the sake of self-serving control.