Movies Like Obsession

If you’ve just finished Obsession, the 2024 supernatural thriller that turns a teenage romance into a nightmare, you’re probably still processing that haunting final image. The film, which follows a hopeless romantic named Rylan who breaks a cursed willow branch to win his crush’s heart, delivers a chilling cautionary tale about desire, consequence, and the darkness lurking beneath wish fulfillment. It’s a movie that taps into something primal—the fear that getting exactly what you want might destroy you. That specific blend of teen angst, folk horror, and psychological dread is surprisingly rare, which makes finding movies like Obsession a challenge worth tackling.

As a journalist who covers the intersection of horror and coming-of-age storytelling, I’ve dug deep into the TMDB recommended list and beyond to find films similar to Obsession that capture that same uneasy vibe. Whether you’re looking for more best movies like Obsession to binge this weekend or simply wondering what to watch after Obsession, this guide delivers ten carefully selected films. Each recommendation shares thematic DNA with the movie you loved—manipulative supernatural forces, cursed objects, toxic romance, or the slow unraveling of reality. Let’s get into it.

Why People Love Obsession

Before we jump into the list, it’s worth unpacking why Obsession resonated so deeply with audiences. The film isn’t just another teen horror flick. It succeeds because it marries a universally relatable experience—the agony of unrequited love—with a folk horror framework that feels both ancient and fresh. Rylan’s decision to break the One Wish Willow isn’t portrayed as a simple mistake; it’s a moment of profound vulnerability that the film never lets you forget.

• Relatable protagonist: Rylan isn’t a horror movie idiot. He’s a genuinely sweet, awkward kid who makes a choice anyone might make when desperate for love. That makes his descent into nightmare territory all the more unsettling.
• Folk horror atmosphere: The film leans heavily on rural dread, whispered legends, and the idea that some places hold dark energy. It’s less about jump scares and more about creeping unease.
• The wish fulfillment twist: Unlike many wish-granting horror films where the wish backfires immediately, Obsession gives Rylan exactly what he asked for—then slowly reveals the sinister price. That slow burn is addictive.
• Emotional stakes: The horror isn’t just external. It’s the horror of realizing you’ve corrupted something pure. The film asks: Would you sacrifice someone else’s free will for love? That’s a gut punch.
• Ambiguous ending: Without spoiling too much, the finale leaves you questioning what’s real and what’s curse. It’s the kind of ending that demands discussion and re-watches.

These elements create a specific viewing experience that’s hard to replicate. But the following ten movies come remarkably close. Consider this your definitive recommendations for Obsession fans.

Why Fans of Obsession Will Love These Movies

Every movie on this list shares at least one core DNA strand with Obsession. Some focus on cursed objects that twist desire into destruction. Others explore the horror of losing yourself to a supernatural entity that wears a familiar face. A few dig into the folk horror tradition of ancient woods, broken rules, and inescapable consequences. What unites them all is a commitment to psychological tension over cheap scares and a deep interest in how love, when corrupted, becomes the most dangerous force of all.

I’ve organized these recommendations to give you a mix of well-known classics, underrated gems, and recent releases that deserve more attention. Whether you want something that hits the same emotional notes or a film that amplifies the horror to extreme levels, there’s something here for you. Let’s break down each one.

Never Let Go

Plot summary: A single mother and her twin sons live in a remote cabin, bound by a set of strict rules designed to protect them from an ancient evil that lurks in the surrounding forest. When one son begins to question whether the danger is real or a product of his mother’s paranoia, the family’s fragile existence begins to unravel.

Why it’s similar: Like Obsession, Never Let Go centers on a supernatural force that is deeply tied to a specific location—in this case, a forest that seems to breathe and watch. The film also explores the theme of belief: Is the evil real, or is it a manifestation of trauma and fear? That ambiguity mirrors the way Obsession keeps you guessing about the One Wish Willow’s true nature. Additionally, both films feature a young protagonist who must navigate the line between obeying rules and asserting their own will, with horrifying consequences for getting it wrong.

What makes it worth watching: The performances are stunning, particularly the child actors who carry much of the emotional weight. The film’s use of sound design—whispers in the trees, footsteps that shouldn’t be there—creates a constant state of dread. For fans of films similar to Obsession that lean into folk horror and maternal protectiveness, this is a must-see. It also asks a compelling question: What happens when the thing you’re protecting your children from might be you?

The Entity

Plot summary: Based on a true story, The Entity follows Carla Moran, a single mother who is brutally attacked by an invisible, malevolent force in her own home. As the assaults escalate, she seeks help from parapsychologists who struggle to understand the entity’s obsession with her.

Why it’s similar: This is a deep cut, but it’s essential for movies like Obsession because both films explore the horror of being desired by something inhuman. In Obsession, Rylan’s wish causes his crush to become unnaturally fixated on him, stripping her of autonomy. In The Entity, Carla is the object of a supernatural obsession that is both violent and disturbingly intimate. The psychological toll is front and center in both stories—this isn’t a monster you can fight with weapons. The horror is that the entity wants you, and it will not stop.

What makes it worth watching: The Entity is a masterclass in sustained tension. The invisible attacker sequences are genuinely terrifying, and the film doesn’t shy away from the trauma of being violated in your own home. It also raises uncomfortable questions about how society blames victims of supernatural assault—a theme that resonates with the way Rylan’s crush is blamed for her own transformed behavior. If you want best movies like Obsession that dig into the dark side of being wanted, this 1982 classic delivers.

The Deliverance

Plot summary: A struggling single mother moves her family into a new home, hoping for a fresh start. Instead, they encounter a demonic presence that begins to possess her children. As the entity tightens its grip, the mother must confront her own past demons to save her family.

Why it’s similar: The Deliverance shares with Obsession a focus on how supernatural forces exploit emotional vulnerability. In Obsession, Rylan’s loneliness makes him susceptible to the willow’s curse. Here, the mother’s guilt and pain are the cracks the demon uses to enter. Both films are ultimately about the price of desperation—what you’re willing to do when you feel like you have nothing left. The possession elements also echo the way Rylan’s crush becomes a hollow version of herself, controlled by an outside force.

What makes it worth watching: The performances are raw and emotionally devastating. This isn’t a jump-scare fest; it’s a slow, grinding horror that wears you down. The film’s exploration of generational trauma and faith adds layers that elevate it above typical possession narratives. For recommendations for Obsession fans who appreciated the emotional depth beneath the horror, The Deliverance is a perfect follow-up.

Nosferatu

Plot summary: Robert Eggers’ 2024 reimagining of the classic vampire tale follows Thomas Hutter, a real estate agent who travels to Transylvania to finalize a deal with the reclusive Count Orlok. He soon discovers that his client is a centuries-old vampire with a consuming obsession for Hutter’s wife, Ellen.

Why it’s similar: At its core, Nosferatu is a story about a cursed desire that transcends death. Count Orlok’s fixation on Ellen is not unlike the One Wish Willow’s hold on Rylan’s crush—both are supernatural forces that twist love into possession. The film also shares Obsession‘s gothic, folk horror aesthetic, with misty landscapes, ancient forests, and the sense that the past is never truly buried. The theme of a deal made in desperation—Hutter’s agreement to sell a house, Rylan’s wish to win a heart—drives both narratives toward inevitable tragedy.

What makes it worth watching: Eggers is a master of atmosphere, and Nosferatu is his most visually stunning film yet. The creature design for Orlok is genuinely disturbing, and the film’s meditation on the connection between desire and death is deeply unsettling. If you loved the dark, romantic horror of Obsession, this is one of the films similar to Obsession that amplifies that energy to operatic levels. It’s also a great entry point for viewers who want to explore the folk horror tradition that Obsession draws from.

Passenger

Plot summary: A young woman named Nora finds herself trapped in a car with a mysterious stranger who claims to be able to grant her deepest wish. What begins as a seemingly miraculous encounter soon turns into a psychological nightmare as she realizes the wish comes with rules she never agreed to.

Why it’s similar: This is the closest direct analogue to Obsession on the list. Both films center on a supernatural being that offers wish fulfillment with a dark twist. Where Obsession uses a cursed willow, Passenger uses a humanoid entity that feels like a folkloric trickster. The film also explores the idea that the wish you make reveals something ugly about your soul—a theme that runs through Rylan’s story as well. Nora’s growing realization that she’s trapped in a bargain she can’t escape mirrors Rylan’s own horror as the willow’s curse takes hold.

What makes it worth watching: The claustrophobic setting (almost the entire film takes place inside a car) creates an intimacy that makes the horror feel personal. The performances are excellent, and the dialogue is sharp, with the entity’s manipulations feeling genuinely unsettling. For anyone looking for movies like Obsession that directly tackle the “be careful what you wish for” trope with psychological sophistication, Passenger is an underrated gem. It also has an ambiguous ending that will stick with you, much like Obsession.

Begotten

Plot summary: An experimental film that depicts the birth of a new god and the subsequent creation of the world. Presented without dialogue, the film uses stark, grainy black-and-white imagery to tell a story of suffering, sacrifice, and the cyclical nature of existence.

Why it’s similar: This is the most avant-garde entry on the list, but it shares Obsession‘s interest in primordial forces and the horror of creation. The One Wish Willow in Obsession feels like an ancient, pre-human entity—something that exists outside our moral framework. Begotten explores that same territory, presenting a universe where pain and desire are inseparable from existence itself. The film’s dreamlike logic and refusal to explain itself will appeal to fans who appreciated that Obsession never fully demystifies its supernatural element.

What makes it worth watching: Begotten is not a casual watch. It’s challenging, abstract, and often disturbing. But for viewers who want to see the philosophical underpinnings of folk horror pushed to their extreme, it’s essential. The film’s influence can be seen in everything from The Witch to Hereditary, and it offers a pure, undiluted dose of the cosmic dread that Obsession hints at. If you’re looking for what to watch after Obsession that will expand your understanding of the genre, this is it.

Insidious: Chapter 2

Plot summary: The Lambert family believes they have escaped the demonic possession that tormented them, but soon discover that the horror has followed them home. As paranormal investigator Elise Rainier’s spirit guides them, they must venture deeper into the Further to confront the entity that has attached itself to their family.

Why it’s similar: Insidious: Chapter 2 explores the idea that deals made in desperation leave permanent scars. In Obsession, Rylan’s wish creates a bond with the willow that he cannot sever. In Insidious: Chapter 2, Josh Lambert’s childhood experience with astral projection has left him vulnerable to possession. Both films are about the way past choices haunt the present, and both feature entities that are drawn to emotional wounds. The film also has a strong folk horror undercurrent, with the Further serving as a liminal space where ancient spirits dwell.

What makes it worth watching: This sequel improves on the original in significant ways, deepening the mythology and delivering some of the series’ best scares. The performances, particularly Patrick Wilson’s turn as a man losing himself, are excellent. For fans of films similar to Obsession that blend family drama with supernatural horror, this is a satisfying choice. It also offers a more hopeful resolution than Obsession, which might be welcome if you need a palate cleanser after that bleak ending.

Hellraiser

Plot summary: A man named Frank Cotton solves the Lament Configuration, a puzzle box that opens a gateway to a dimension of sadomasochistic pleasure and pain ruled by the Cenobites. When Frank’s brother and sister-in-law move into his old house, they inadvertently summon the Cenobites and must confront the horrors that Frank unleashed.

Why it’s similar: At its heart, Hellraiser is a story about desire that destroys. Frank’s obsession with extreme sensation leads him to make a deal with entities that care nothing for human morality—much like Rylan’s deal with the One Wish Willow. Both films feature a supernatural object (the puzzle box, the willow branch) that grants wishes in a twisted, literal way. The Cenobites, like the willow’s curse, are not evil in a human sense; they simply are what they are, and humans are foolish to bargain with them. The film also explores toxic relationships, with Frank’s affair with his brother’s wife driving much of the plot.

What makes it worth watching: Hellraiser is a landmark of horror that has lost none of its power. The Cenobites are iconic, and the film’s exploration of the line between pleasure and pain is genuinely thought-provoking. For fans of best movies like Obsession who want something more extreme and thematically rich, this is essential viewing. It also shares Obsession‘s interest in the idea that some doors, once opened, cannot be closed.

Night of the Hunted

Plot summary: A woman stops at a remote gas station late at night, only to find herself trapped and hunted by a mysterious sniper. With no one to trust and nowhere to hide, she must use every resource at her disposal to survive until dawn.

Why it’s similar: While it lacks a supernatural element, Night of the Hunted shares Obsession‘s core theme of being trapped in a nightmare of someone else’s making. In Obsession, Rylan is trapped by the curse he set in motion. Here, the protagonist is trapped by a sniper’s cruel game. Both films are about survival against an implacable force that seems to know your every move. The film also explores the horror of isolation—the sense that no one is coming to save you—which is a key emotional beat in Obsession.

What makes it worth watching: This is a taut, efficient thriller that wastes no time. The cat-and-mouse dynamic is expertly crafted, and the film’s commentary on surveillance and vulnerability adds a layer of relevance. For fans of movies like Obsession who enjoy high-tension survival scenarios, Night of the Hunted delivers. It’s also a great example of how horror can work without supernatural elements while still capturing the same feeling of helplessness.

Come Play

Plot summary: A young boy named Oliver, who is nonverbal and uses a tablet to communicate, is targeted by a mysterious monster named Larry that manifests through screens. As Larry’s presence grows stronger, Oliver’s parents must find a way to protect him from an entity that feeds on loneliness.

Why it’s similar: Come Play is the most direct thematic match for Obsession on this list. Both films center on a lonely young person who becomes the target of a supernatural entity that offers connection at a terrible price. In Obsession, Rylan’s loneliness makes him vulnerable to the willow’s temptation. In Come Play, Oliver’s isolation makes him the perfect prey for Larry, a monster that preys on those who feel unseen. The film also explores the idea that technology can be a conduit for ancient evils, which parallels the way the willow branch serves as a physical object that bridges the human world and something darker.

What makes it worth watching: The performances are superb, particularly young actor Azhy Robertson, who communicates volumes without dialogue. The monster design is genuinely creepy, and the film uses its premise to explore themes of parenting, communication, and the fear of not being able to protect your child. For recommendations for Obsession fans who want a film that balances emotional weight with genuine scares, Come Play is a perfect choice. It also has a similar ambiguous ending that leaves you questioning what comes next.

People Also Ask

What movie is most similar to Obsession?

The closest film to Obsession in terms of plot and theme is Come Play, which also features a lonely young protagonist targeted by a supernatural entity that exploits emotional vulnerability. For a more direct wish-fulfillment horror, Passenger is an excellent choice.

Is there a sequel to Obsession?

As of 2025, no sequel to Obsession has been announced. The film’s ambiguous ending leaves room for interpretation,