Focus Features Acquires Curry Barker's Horror Film 'Obsession' for $15 Million at TIFF

What's Happening?

Focus Features is in the process of finalizing a significant acquisition at the Toronto Film Festival, securing the rights to the horror film 'Obsession' by YouTube creator Curry Barker. The deal, reportedly exceeding $15 million, marks a major investment in the Midnight Madness section of the festival. 'Obsession' features actors Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette and tells the story of a romantic wish gone awry, leading to a sinister enchantment. This film represents Barker's feature directorial debut, following his success with the YouTube horror short 'Milk & Serial'. The film premiered at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, and Capstone is managing its international sales.

Why It's Important?

This acquisition underscores Focus Features' strategic expansion into the horror genre, a space where competitors like NEON and A24 have been notably active. The investment in 'Obsession' highlights the growing influence of digital creators like Curry Barker in mainstream cinema, reflecting a shift in how content is sourced and valued. The deal also signifies the potential for significant box office returns, as evidenced by Focus Features' previous success with 'Nosferatu', which grossed $182 million globally. This move could further solidify Focus Features' position in the specialty film market, potentially attracting a younger, digitally-savvy audience.

What's Next?

As the deal is finalized, Focus Features will likely begin strategizing the film's marketing and distribution to maximize its reach and profitability. The film's success could influence future acquisitions and collaborations between traditional film studios and digital content creators. Industry observers will be watching to see how 'Obsession' performs both domestically and internationally, which could impact future festival acquisitions and the valuation of films by digital creators.