Movies Like Obsession
There’s something about a love story that twists into a nightmare that sticks with you long after the credits roll. Obsession, the 2024 thriller starring Leonardo Sbaraglia and Ester Expósito, does exactly that. It begins with a seemingly innocent wish made on a mysterious “One Wish Willow” and spirals into a dark, sinister descent where desire meets consequence. If you’ve just finished this haunting film and are asking yourself, “What should I watch after Obsession?” — you are in the right place.
We’ve curated a list of ten movies that capture the same eerie blend of romance, fate, and horror. These films are not just random picks; they are carefully selected recommendations that tap into the core themes that make Obsession so compelling: cursed objects, forbidden love, psychological unraveling, and the terrifying price of getting what you want. Whether you are a fan of slow-burn dread or supernatural scares, these movies like Obsession will satisfy your craving for more.
Why People Love Obsession
Before diving into our recommendations, it’s worth understanding why Obsession has struck such a nerve with audiences. First, there’s the timeless Beauty and the Beast dynamic, but flipped on its head. The hopeless romantic protagonist doesn’t just win his crush’s heart; he unleashes something ancient and malevolent. The film masterfully balances the sweetness of first love with the creeping dread of supernatural consequences.
Second, the concept of a cursed object that grants wishes is universally relatable. Who hasn’t wished for something they thought they wanted, only to realize the cost was too high? Obsession taps into that primal fear of desire without boundaries. Finally, the film’s visual style — moody lighting, claustrophobic close-ups, and a haunting score — creates an atmosphere that is both romantic and terrifying. It’s this unique blend that makes fans crave films similar to Obsession.
Why Fans of Obsession Will Love These Movies
If Obsession hooked you with its mix of romance and horror, you are not alone. The following movies share DNA with that film: they explore the darkness that lurks beneath love, the supernatural forces that toy with human desires, and the psychological toll of crossing forbidden lines. Each recommendation has been chosen because it delivers a similar emotional punch — the thrill of attraction, the chill of fear, and the lingering question: was it worth it?
Let’s dive into the best movies like Obsession that you can stream right now.
Never Let Go
Plot Summary
In Never Let Go, a young woman named Anna (played by Mackenzie Davis) inherits a mysterious locket from her grandmother. The locket holds a dark secret: it can bring back lost loved ones, but only if you never let go of it. Anna, grieving her deceased fiancé, uses the locket to speak with him one last time. But the locket has a will of its own, and soon Anna realizes that some doors should remain closed.
Why It’s Similar to Obsession
Like Obsession, Never Let Go revolves around a cursed object that grants a wish — in this case, the wish to reconnect with a lost love. Both films explore the idea that love can become an obsession, and that the boundaries between life and death are fragile. The emotional core is the same: a person driven by love makes a dangerous choice, and the consequences are terrifying.
What Makes It Worth Watching
Never Let Go is a masterclass in slow-burn tension. The film doesn’t rely on jump scares; instead, it builds dread through atmosphere and character. Mackenzie Davis delivers a heartbreaking performance that makes you feel every moment of her grief and desperation. If you loved the emotional weight of Obsession, you’ll find a kindred spirit here. It’s one of the films similar to Obsession that prioritizes character over cheap thrills.
The Entity
Plot Summary
The Entity tells the true story of Doris Bither, a single mother who becomes the target of a malevolent, invisible force that sexually assaults her. Based on the real-life case that inspired the “entity” phenomenon, the film follows Doris as she struggles to convince skeptical scientists and paranormal investigators that she is being tormented by something beyond comprehension.
Why It’s Similar to Obsession
While Obsession is about a cursed wish, The Entity is about an unwanted obsession. The entity itself is a form of twisted desire — it wants Doris, and it will not let go. Both films explore the idea of being trapped by a force that feeds on human emotion. The sense of helplessness and the violation of personal boundaries are themes that resonate strongly with Obsession fans.
What Makes It Worth Watching
The Entity is a terrifying psychological horror that blurs the lines between reality and nightmare. It’s not a typical ghost story; it’s a deep dive into trauma and survival. The performances are raw, and the film’s refusal to provide easy answers will haunt you. For those looking for movies like Obsession that are grounded in real-world terror, this is a must-watch.
The Deliverance
Plot Summary
The Deliverance follows Ebony Jackson, a struggling mother who moves her family into a new home, only to discover that the house is infested by a demonic presence. As her children begin to exhibit disturbing behavior, Ebony must confront her own past and her faith to save her family from the entity that wants to claim them.
Why It’s Similar to Obsession
Both films deal with the idea of a supernatural force that latches onto a person or family because of a wish or a desire. In Obsession, the protagonist’s wish awakens the curse. In The Deliverance, the family’s move into the house triggers the haunting. The theme of consequences — that every action has a price — runs through both stories.
What Makes It Worth Watching
The Deliverance is a powerful film that combines family drama with supernatural horror. The performances, especially from the lead actress, are gripping. The film doesn’t shy away from showing the emotional toll of possession, making it a compelling watch for fans of films similar to Obsession who appreciate character-driven horror.
Nosferatu
Plot Summary
Nosferatu is the classic silent horror film that tells the story of Count Orlok, a vampire who becomes obsessed with a young woman named Ellen. When her husband travels to Transylvania to sell a house, he unwittingly brings the vampire back to their town, unleashing a plague of death and desire.
Why It’s Similar to Obsession
Nosferatu is the original story of forbidden love and obsession. Count Orlok’s desire for Ellen is not just about blood; it’s about possession. Like the curse in Obsession, the vampire’s fixation is both romantic and destructive. The film’s gothic atmosphere and tragic ending echo the dark tone of Obsession.
What Makes It Worth Watching
As a foundational piece of horror cinema, Nosferatu is essential viewing. Its shadowy visuals and haunting score still hold up today. For fans of movies like Obsession that explore the dark side of love, this silent masterpiece is a must-see. It’s a reminder that the themes of obsession and desire are timeless.
Passenger
Plot Summary
Passenger follows Alex, a man who finds a mysterious key that unlocks a door to a parallel dimension. When he steps through, he discovers a version of his life where his deceased wife is still alive. But the longer he stays, the more the alternate reality begins to corrupt him and those he loves.
Why It’s Similar to Obsession
Like Obsession, Passenger is about a wish — the wish to bring back a lost love. Both films explore the idea that altering fate comes with a terrible price. The protagonist in both stories is driven by love, but that love blinds him to the danger. The parallel dimension in Passenger is as sinister as the cursed willow in Obsession.
What Makes It Worth Watching
Passenger is a mind-bending thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end. It’s a film that rewards close attention, with layers of meaning that unfold on rewatch. If you loved the twisty narrative of Obsession, you’ll appreciate the complexity of this film. It’s one of the best movies like Obsession for fans of psychological horror.
Begotten
Plot Summary
Begotten is an avant-garde horror film that depicts a surreal, wordless myth of creation and destruction. It follows a god-like figure who commits suicide, birthing a mother earth figure, who then gives birth to a son. The son wanders through a desolate landscape, encountering primitive beings and experiencing violence and rebirth.
Why It’s Similar to Obsession
While Begotten is far more abstract than Obsession, both films share a mythic quality and a focus on the dark consequences of desire. The cycle of creation and destruction in Begotten mirrors the cycle of wish and consequence in Obsession. Both films are about the primal forces that drive human behavior.
What Makes It Worth Watching
Begotten is not for everyone — it’s experimental and challenging. But for those who appreciate the darker, more artistic side of horror, it’s a unique experience. The film’s grainy, silent aesthetic creates a dreamlike nightmare that will linger in your mind. It’s a deep cut for fans of films similar to Obsession who want something truly different.
Insidious: Chapter 2
Plot Summary
Insidious: Chapter 2 continues the story of the Lambert family. After the events of the first film, Josh Lambert begins to suspect that he may not be himself — that the demon that possessed him is still lurking. As his wife Renai tries to uncover the truth, they both descend further into the supernatural realm known as “The Further.”
Why It’s Similar to Obsession
Both films deal with the idea that love for family can be twisted by supernatural forces. In Obsession, the protagonist’s love for his crush leads him to make a wish. In Insidious: Chapter 2, Josh’s love for his family is exploited by a demon. The sense of being trapped by a malevolent force that knows your deepest desires is central to both stories.
What Makes It Worth Watching
Insidious: Chapter 2 is a masterful sequel that expands the mythology of the franchise. The scares are inventive, and the story is surprisingly emotional. For fans of movies like Obsession that blend family drama with supernatural horror, this is a perfect choice. It’s a film that proves that even the strongest love can be a weakness.
Hellraiser
Plot Summary
Hellraiser tells the story of Frank Cotton, a hedonist who solves a mysterious puzzle box, summoning the Cenobites — beings from another dimension who offer extreme pleasure and pain. When Frank’s brother and his wife Julia move into the family home, Julia discovers Frank’s remains and helps him regenerate, leading to a bloody confrontation.
Why It’s Similar to Obsession
Hellraiser is the ultimate story of desire without limits. Like the cursed willow in Obsession, the puzzle box grants wishes — but at a horrific cost. Both films explore the idea that some desires are so powerful that they can corrupt the soul. The Cenobites are a literal manifestation of the dark price of obsession.
What Makes It Worth Watching
Hellraiser is a landmark of horror cinema, known for its iconic villain Pinhead and its philosophical exploration of pleasure and pain. The film is both terrifying and thought-provoking. For fans of films similar to Obsession that are unflinching in their portrayal of dark desire, this is essential viewing.
Night of the Hunted
Plot Summary
Night of the Hunted follows Alice, a woman who stops at a remote gas station on a lonely highway. She soon finds herself trapped by a sniper who is hunting her for reasons unknown. As the night wears on, Alice must use her wits to survive against a predator who seems to know her every move.
Why It’s Similar to Obsession
While not supernatural, Night of the Hunted shares the same sense of inevitable doom that permeates Obsession. In both films, the protagonist is trapped by a force they cannot understand — in Obsession, it’s a curse; in Night of the Hunted, it’s a hunter. The feeling of being pursued by something that wants you, and the fight for survival, are central to both.
What Makes It Worth Watching
Night of the Hunted is a taut, claustrophobic thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The film relies on tension and suspense rather than gore, making it a great choice for fans of movies like Obsession who appreciate psychological horror. It’s a reminder that the most terrifying monsters are often human.
Come Play
Plot Summary
Come Play tells the story of Oliver, a non-verbal autistic boy who befriends a mysterious creature named Larry through a smartphone app. Larry wants to be real, and to do that, he needs Oliver’s help. But as Larry’s demands grow more dangerous, Oliver’s mother must fight to save her son from the creature’s grasp.
Why It’s Similar to Obsession
Both Obsession and Come Play are about loneliness and the desire for connection. In Obsession, the protagonist’s longing for love leads him to a cursed object. In Come Play, Oliver’s isolation makes him vulnerable to a creature that promises friendship. Both films explore the dark side of wanting to be loved.
What Makes It Worth Watching
Come Play is a deeply moving horror film that uses technology as a vehicle for its scares. The creature Larry is genuinely creepy, but the film’s emotional core is what makes it special. For fans of films similar to Obsession that combine heart with horror, this is a must-watch. It’s a story about the lengths a mother will go to protect her child, and the cost of letting something in.
Internal Link Suggestions
- Movies Like Inception
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- Movies Like The Lighthouse
- Movies Like Get Out
- Movies Like Suspiria
People Also Ask
What movie is most similar to Obsession?
Never Let Go is arguably the most similar film to Obsession. Both movies center on a cursed object that grants a wish related to love, and both explore the dark consequences of that wish. The emotional tone and slow-burn horror are remarkably alike.
Is there a sequel to Obsession?
As of now, there is no official sequel to Obsession. The film was designed as a standalone story, though its ending leaves room for interpretation. Fans hoping for more can turn to our list of movies like Obsession for similar thrills.
What should I watch after Obsession?
If you loved Obsession, you should watch Never Let Go or The Entity for similar themes of cursed love and supernatural consequences. For a more classic take, Nosferatu is an excellent choice. Our full list above offers ten great options for what to watch next.
Which movie has the same vibe as Obsession?
Passenger has a very similar vibe to Obsession. Both films deal with a protagonist who uses a mysterious object to alter reality for love, only to discover that the consequences are far darker than they imagined. The sense of dread and inevitability is palpable in both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these movies suitable for all audiences?
No, most of the films on this list are rated R or equivalent due to violence, horror, and mature themes. Obsession itself is a thriller with disturbing moments. Viewer discretion is advised, especially for younger audiences.
Where can I stream these movies?
Availability varies by region. Never Let Go and The Deliverance are currently streaming on Netflix. Insidious: Chapter 2 is available on HBO Max. Hellraiser can be found on Amazon Prime and Shudder. Check your local streaming services for the most up-to-date availability.
Are any of these movies based on true stories?
The Entity is based on the real-life case of Doris Bither, which has been documented by paranormal researchers. The Deliverance is also inspired by a true story of a family who experienced demonic possession. The other films are fictional
