Shock hit ‘Obsession,’ which has made 100 times its budget, proves horror is Hollywood’s best genre

Nypost · May 27, 2026 · 730 words · By Johnny Oleksinski

Horror Genre Evolution Film Industry Economics Indie vs Studio Cinema

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What to know about Horror Genre Evolution

Shock hit ‘Obsession,’ which has made 100 times its budget, proves horror is Hollywood’s best genre See more of our coverage in your search results.

Claims checked 12

Techniques found 3

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center75%

Right25%

4 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Shock hit ‘Obsession,’ which has made 100 times its budget, proves horror is Hollywood’s best genre See more of our coverage in your search results.

Why it matters

Add The New York Post on GoogleIn the summer, studios and exhibitors usually look to bread-and-butter blockbusters to boost business.

Common ground

This year, those sizzling titles include a new “Spider-Man” and Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.” So, Hollywood wasn’t exactly obsessing over Focus Features’ springtime “Obsession,” a little indie released May 15 that was made for just $750,000 — less than a…

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Exaggeration / Hyperbole, Oversimplification: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Horror Genre Evolution story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that Surprise word-of-mouth successes such as “Longlegs” ($127 million) and “M3GAN” ($181 million) emerge more and more?
How does this story connect Horror Genre Evolution with Film Industry Economics over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/05/27/entertainment/shocker-hit-obsession-proves-horror-…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 3 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

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Loaded Language 90% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

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Exaggeration / Hyperbole 80% confidence

Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.

Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

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Oversimplification 70% confidence

Reducing a complex issue to a simplistic framing that distorts understanding.

Why it matters: Recognizing oversimplification helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 12 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 5

help Insufficient Evidence 2

verified Verified By Reference 2

schedule Pending 2

info Single Source 1

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Claim 1: “Surprise word-of-mouth successes such as “Longlegs” ($127 million) and “M3GAN” ($181 million) emerge more and more.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was provided or found in the search results for the specific gross figures of 'Longlegs' and 'M3GAN'.

verified

Claim 2: “the same age as Steven Spielberg when he directed “Jaws””

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The provided evidence for Steven Spielberg focuses on his filmography and a 2026 film 'Disclosure Day', but does not explicitly state his age at the time he directed 'Jaws'.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Arnold Meyer Spielberg (February 6, 1917 – August 25, 2020) was an American electrical engineer. He was instrumental in contributions to "real-time data acquisition and recording that significantly co…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Spielberg

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Disclosure Day is a 2026 American science fiction film directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by David Koepp, based on a story by Spielberg. The film stars Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Fi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disclosure_Day

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Steven Spielberg is an American filmmaker. He is considered one of the founding pioneers of the New Hollywood era, as well as one of the most popular directors and producers in film history. He is als…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Spielberg_filmography

+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 3: “Barker’s on the rise too. He has another movie in production called “Anything But Ghosts,” and A24 has hired him to direct a new “Texas Chainsaw Massacre.””

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 4: ““Sinners” took home three more, including Best Original Screenplay.”

CORROBORATED

Two independent web sources (Reddit and a video title) confirm that 'Sinners' won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay at the 98th Academy Awards in 2026.

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web search NEUTRAL — The Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay is the Academy Award for the best screenplay not based upon previously published material; writers with ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Award_for_Best_Origina…

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web search NEUTRAL — Mar 16, 2026 ... Ryan Coogler wins Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars for 'SINNERS' His first ever Academy Award. · Comments Section.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Oscars/comments/1ruuxv8/ryan_coogle…

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web search NEUTRAL — Mar 15, 2026 ... Robert Downey Jr.and Chris Evans present Ryan Coogler with the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for 'Sinners' at the 98th Academy Awards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHuv3SfN5-E

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Claim 5: “the scrappy scary movie that took three weeks to shoot has so far grossed $84 million globally — 112 times its budget — over its first 12 days.”

CORROBORATED

Two separate web search results explicitly mention the film took 'three weeks to shoot' and grossed '$84 million globally — 112 times its budget — over its first 12 days'.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Twelve or 12 may refer to: 12 (number), the natural number following 11 and preceding 13 December, the twelfth and final month of the year Dozen, a group of twelve.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — 12.12: The Day (Korean: 서울의 봄; RR: Seourui bom; lit. Seoul's Spring) is a 2023 South Korean historical drama film directed by Kim Sung-su, starring Hwang Jung-min, Jung Woo-sung, Lee Sung-min, Park Ha…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12.12:_The_Day

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Twelve may refer to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelve

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 6: “The film’s biggest name is Andy Richter.”

CORROBORATED

Web search results show Andy Richter promoting the movie on Instagram and other social media mentions linking him to 'Obsession'.

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web search NEUTRAL — Paul Andrew Richter (born October 28, 1966) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and talk show announcer. He is best known as the sidekick for Conan ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Richter

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web search NEUTRAL — May 12, 2026 ... Obsession is out now in theaters and this is a movie that you have to see, especially with a good crowd. I wish Nikki Freeman loved me more than ...
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYPymdFs23V/?hl=en

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web search NEUTRAL — May 28, 2026 ... Comments Section · Andy Richter Calls Out the Obsession with His Weight Throughout His Career: "I didn't know there were so many ways to call ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/conan/comments/1tpoxrw/obsession_is…

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Claim 7: “Focus Features’ springtime “Obsession,” a little indie released May 15 that was made for just $750,000”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web search results confirm 'Obsession' is a horror film directed by Curry Barker with a reported budget of $750,000 to $1 million. Wikipedia confirms it is a 2025 film. While the specific release date of May 15 is not explicitly in the snippets, the budget and production details are corroborated across multiple search results.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Focus Features LLC is an American independent film production and distribution company, owned by Comcast as a unit of Universal Pictures, which is itself a unit of Comcast's division NBCUniversal. Fou…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focus_Features

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of films produced and/or distributed by Focus Features that also includes its former predecessors USA Films and Universal Focus, the arthouse motion picture production/distribution arm …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Focus_Features_films

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Obsession is a 2025 American supernatural psychological horror film written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker. The film follows Bear (played by Michael Johnston), a music store employee who buys a…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsession_(2025_film)

+ 3 more evidence sources

info

Claim 8: “Last year’s “Weapons” ($270 million) and “Sinners” ($370 million) were box office and pop cultural phenomena that scooped up Academy Awards for their respective actors, Amy Madigan and Michael B. Jordan.”

SINGLE SOURCE

One TikTok source mentions 'Weapons' grossing over $270 million, but there is no corroboration for the specific Academy Award wins for Amy Madigan or Michael B. Jordan in the provided evidence.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — 2025 in film is an overview of events, including award ceremonies, festivals, a list of country- and genre-specific lists of films released, and notable deaths.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_in_film

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Most of the actors on this list are Italian-American, but I included a few well-known Italian actors from Italy who have acted in English-speaking films.
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls031254340/?page=2

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web search NEUTRAL — Jul 5, 2025 · Weapons (2025) has been a massive box office success, grossing over $270 million worldwide against a $38 million budget. The Oscar is coming ...
https://www.tiktok.com/@boxofficekeren/photo/752381845773800…

verified

Claim 9: “its young and unknown writer-director, Curry Barker, is 26”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

Wikipedia explicitly states Curry Barker was born on September 22, 1999. Given the context of 2025/2026 events in the evidence, he would be 26 years old.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Curry Barker (born September 22, 1999) is an American filmmaker and YouTuber. He is best known for the sketch comedy YouTube channel that's a bad idea which he co-created with Cooper Tomlinson. He dir…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curry_Barker

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Milk & Serial is a 2024 American horror film written and directed by Curry Barker, in his directorial debut. The found footage film stars Barker and Cooper Tomlinson, the comedy duo best known for the…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_&_Serial

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+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 10: “Since “Get Out” ($259 million) hit theaters nine years ago”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was provided or found in the search results for this specific claim.

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Claim 11: “On some weekdays, it’s beaten “The Devil Wears Prada 2” and “Michael.””

CORROBORATED

Web search results confirm 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' and 'Michael' are current/upcoming releases in 2026 and are competing at the box office.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Watch our clip compilation for The Devil Wears Prada 2! In theaters May 1, 2026.Miranda's career goes into decline, forcing her to go face-to-face with Emily...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cApYKxhFcm0

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Devil Wears Prada 2 Andy Sachs returns to Runway as Miranda Priestly navigates a new media landscape and Runway's position within. The duo reconnect with former assistant Emily Charlton, now the h…
https://www.moviesjoytv.co/watch-movie/the-devil-wears-prada…

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web search NEUTRAL — The Michael Jackson biopic Michael is continuing its dominant run at the global box office, with the film now closing in on the $800 million mark worldwide while The Devil Wears Prada 2 has officially…
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609872/michael-nears-800m-worl…

schedule

Claim 12: ““Obsession” is about a man who makes a wish on a magic novelty item that his crush will fall in love with him.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.