Original Title: Obsessions
- Genre: Mystery / Thriller
- Director: Ashish Chanana
- Writer: Sarah Stunt
- Producers: Nicole Ferre, Helena Karadimos,
Olga Safari, Sarah Stunt
- Stars: Olga Safari, Andrea Figliomeni,
Bobby Slaski, Kevin Bernstein, Peter Eric Barkhorn
Year of Production: 2022 - Year of Production: 2022
- Duration: Approx. 1 hr 24 min (84 min)
- Language: English
- Country: United States / Media Factory Inc.
📖 Story Summary (Plot Overview)
Obsessions is a modern mystery thriller that
delves deep into the dangerous world of fame, fandom, and blurred lines between
admiration and fixation. The story centers around Maria Breeze (Olga Safari),
a popular and glamorous pop star whose life is upended following a freak
accident that sets the internet and social media ablaze. Rumors, speculation,
and conspiracy theories quickly spread, threatening her carefully cultivated
public image.
To silence the swirling chaos and
"set the record straight," Maria and her boyfriend Danny Pate
(Bobby Slaski) arrange an exclusive, sit-down interview with a young
journalist — Lily Miller (Andrea Figliomeni) — who happens to be Maria’s
number one fan. The intention is simple: transparency to quell the misinformation.
However, as the interview progresses and the camera keeps rolling, Lily’s
admiration begins to morph into something far more unsettling and dangerous.
Unbeknownst to Maria, Lily’s
obsession with her idol goes well beyond professional curiosity. What starts as
a seemingly benign conversation soon reveals Lily’s fixation, framed by
betrayal, hidden motives, and a blurred sense between devotion and darkness. As
truth and lies intertwine, the characters spiral into a twisted confrontation
that challenges their identities and forces them to face consequences they
never expected.
Obsessions uses the immediacy of social media
as a backdrop — a world where everything is public, nothing is private, and
where perception often outweighs reality. It blends modern cultural phenomena
with psychological tension, providing a commentary on the dangers of fame and
the unpredictable power of fan culture.
💭 Editorial Review (Critical Insight)
Obsessions emerges as a compelling thriller
that taps into the very real anxieties of our social media age. Its strength
lies not only in its plot twists but in the emotional unease it evokes — a
world where obsession can grow in silence, unchecked and unseen until it’s too
late.
Strengths
✔️ Relevant Themes: The film
situates its tension within the contemporary digital ecosystem, where
celebrities and influencers constantly navigate public perception and viral
narratives. This makes the story highly relatable in the era of 24/7 social
media scrutiny.
✔️ Character Dynamics: The
interplay between Maria and Lily feeds into a psychological complexity that
goes beyond simple thriller beats. Lily’s transition from fan to potential
threat keeps audiences guessing and creates driving suspense throughout.
✔️ Pacing and Atmosphere:
Clocking in at around one hour and twenty-four minutes, Obsessions
maintains a brisk narrative pace. It avoids unnecessary filler, focusing
instead on building tension through character interactions and escalating
stakes.
Weaknesses
❌ Predictability at Times:
Despite its thematic strength, some plot turns and character choices follow
familiar thriller tropes, potentially lessening the impact for seasoned genre
fans.
❌ Underdeveloped Subplots:
Certain narrative threads, such as the motivations behind Lily’s obsession, may
feel underexplored, leaving viewers wanting a deeper psychological backstory.
Overall, Obsessions stands as
a solid thriller that leverages its tight screenplay and relevant themes to
hold audience attention, though it occasionally leans on familiar genre
conventions.
🎬 Behind the Scenes (Production
Insight)
Directed by Ashish Chanana, Obsessions
was produced under Media Factory Inc. and released in 2022. Chanana is
recognized for his background in visual effects and storytelling, bringing a
polished, media-savvy eye to the project.
🎥 Creative Intent
According to interviews and
production notes, Chanana aimed to comment on “the all-consuming obsession” of
fame and digital culture — how public figures curate their image, and how that
image can become destabilized by rumor, perception, and emotionally invested
admirers.
🎭 Casting Choices
The casting of Olga Safari as Maria
Breeze brings a charismatic and powerful presence to the screen — essential for
portraying a character constantly navigating the dual pressures of public
adoration and private vulnerability. Andrea Figliomeni’s performance as Lily
adds texture to the film’s core dynamic, presenting a character who blurs the
lines between admiration and unsettling fixation.
📆 Production and Release
Obsessions premiered on various streaming
platforms and VOD services, gaining traction among indie thriller fans looking
for suspenseful narratives grounded in modern societal issues. While it didn’t
dominate mainstream box office charts, the film earned attention for its
topical storyline and engaging performances.
🌟 Feature Film Insight (What Makes It
Worth Watching)
Here’s why Obsessions stands
out — and what makes it a relevant watch for movie blog readers:
✔️ Timely Social Commentary
Unlike thrillers that focus solely
on action, Obsessions anchors its narrative in our hyperconnected world,
where everything — and everyone — can instantly become a story. The film
interrogates how public personas are built and dismantled within digital
environments.
✔️ Psychological Tension Over Jump
Scares
Rather than relying on horror-style
frights, the tension unfolds through dialogue, body language, and mounting
suspicion. This approach gives the film a psychological edge that resonates
with thriller enthusiasts.
✔️ Relatable Character Motivations
In a culture obsessed with celebrity
and fan culture, the motivations of both Maria and Lily feel disturbingly
familiar — a reminder of how admiration can tip into dangerous territory when
blurred with personal insecurity and public image maintenance.
✖️ Missed Opportunities for Deeper
Exploration
While the film establishes
interesting themes, some viewers might feel it could push deeper into
psychological backstories or character motivations, offering more nuance and
emotional complexity.
