In yet another example of why Netflix is a bane to the film industry, Curry Barker has revealed his hit horror film, Obsession, came way too close to ending up on the streamer instead of landing in theaters.
The filmmaker recently sat down on the podcast Q With Tom Power, where he was asked about the bidding war that erupted over Obsession.
Said Barker, “I called my manager. He’s like, ‘Dude, everybody’s putting in a bid for this thing.’ At this time, I’m still thinking maybe a small theatrical release. Maybe they just want to acquire it; and also, as a director, I’m thinking, I’m scared of, ‘Are they going to want to change my movie? Are they going to want to take out certain parts that I like?’”
That’s an understandable concern with any studio…especially considering Netflix is pretty specific with how films are presented on the platform.
Continued Barker, “I think Netflix was in the conversation at one point. They put in an offer to just put it straight on Netflix. All of these conversations started.”
Thank the cinema gods that that didn’t happen, huh? After Obsession became one of the most successful horror films of the last decade, can you imagine if it had just been dumped on Netflix?
Obsession, as is the case with most movies, is meant to be watched with an audience. It deserves to play on the big screen with a crowd hooting, hollering, and screaming.
Luckily, that’s exactly what happened. We don’t have to live in a world where Obsession was unceremoniously dropped on Netflix for a brief streaming life before disappearing. Instead, the film was given the opportunity to have an enormous cultural impact. The film’s star, Inde Navarette, will host SNL on October 31st. Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights will have Nikki characters populating the park.
That’s all because the film went to theaters. It got the opportunity that streamers like Netflix have made rarer and rarer.
Thankfully, it all worked out for the better. Turns out we can still have nice things. Just don’t wish for any with the One Wish Willow.
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