Inde Navarrette Opens the Door to an ‘Obsession’ Sequel and Reveals Where Nikki Goes Next

Few horror movies have exploded the way ‘Obsession‘ did this year. Made for a tiny budget by a 26-year-old YouTuber-turned-filmmaker, it became a global phenomenon, and talk of an ‘Obsession’ sequel started almost immediately. Now the film’s breakout star, Inde Navarrette, has weighed in on whether she’d come back.

Curry Barker shot the horror-romance in just 20 days on a budget of about $750,000. After it premiered in the Midnight Madness section of the Toronto International Film Festival, Focus Features won a bidding war for it, reportedly paying around $14 million to $15 million. Released in May, it has since grossed more than $500 million worldwide and become the biggest hit in Focus Features’ 24-year history.

The film follows Bear Bailey (Michael Johnston), a shy music store employee who wishes on an antique toy called a One Wish Willow that his crush, Nikki (Navarrette), will love him. Navarrette’s volatile transformation into Nikki became the film’s most memorable element, and her screams and expressions turned into some of the year’s most widely shared memes. Her performance has also fueled Oscar talk, and she has already won Best Performance at the Seattle International Film Festival.

So would she return? On THR’s ‘Awards Chatter’ podcast, taped live in front of 500 students at Chapman University, host Scott Feinberg asked Navarrette about a sequel, and she said she’d be completely open to it. She joked that, as far as she’s concerned, she’s in no position to say no. It’s a notable shift from her earlier stance.

Months ago, Navarrette had said she liked that the movie had no sequel. She suggested it would be cool if Barker made the anthology series he had talked about, where each story involves a different wish, so she could watch without getting scared on her own. That made her new comments a surprise to many fans.

She also explained what she thinks Nikki would be doing after the credits roll. Her answer was what she called the non-pretty one, which she said is more important to give than giggling through a response: Nikki is only beginning a grief process. She tied that to the idea that when something outside your control happens, like losing a loved one or your autonomy, it’s very hard to make sense of anything.

That perspective suggests a sequel would need to deal with the aftermath of what Nikki endured rather than simply stage another round of scares. It also fits the film’s themes, which critics and viewers have often tied to consent, manipulation and loss of identity.

Barker has been open about the idea. He has said a sequel isn’t hard for this movie and has confirmed he has ideas for one. Some reports suggest he may also pivot to other One Wish Willow stories in the same universe rather than directly continuing Nikki’s tale.

For now, no sequel has been officially announced. Barker has other projects lined up, including the horror comedy ‘Anything But Ghosts’ with Aaron Paul and Bryce Dallas Howard, and a remake of ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ for A24. ‘Anything But Ghosts’ takes place in the same universe, and Navarrette has said fans can spot an Easter egg referencing Nikki.

You wished for this. Official trailer for OBSESSION, only in theaters May 15. Text 724-876-4554 🖤 https://t.co/rNfs9wfwml

— Obsession (@obsessionmovie) March 11, 2026

Any return would have to fit around her growing slate. She has been cast as Rogue in Marvel’s ‘X-Men’ reboot, which is scheduled for 2028, and she is also set to appear in the action film ‘Invertigo’ next year. That makes timing a factor for a follow-up.

She has also said she is being deliberate with her choices at this stage of her career. Her best-actress campaign for ‘Obsession’ means she’ll be in the awards conversation for months. If she gets a nomination, it would be a rare nod for a performance in a horror film.

Fans who want Nikki back may have to be patient, but Navarrette’s comments are the clearest sign yet that she’s willing. With a global hit, a director with ideas and a star who is ready to return, the pieces are falling into place. Whether a sequel arrives as a direct continuation or a new wish story, the audience for it is clearly there.

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