“𝔑𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔪𝔬𝔯𝔢”

So the thing that I think sticks out most to me about obsession (other than the phenomenal acting, sound design, filming and editing of course) is the fact that within the story you can see how it all could’ve been okay. Not the wish, the wish never could’ve been okay, but without the wish. Without Bear’s obsession. The movie makes it so you can see it so clearly. They give you this image in so many ways—they give him these opportunities before and after the wish to choose the right thing, choose the hard thing. But he never does. For example he chose to buy her the one wish willow instead of the citrine necklace. In the movie they’re vague about it but do you know what citrine is good for? Inspiring creativity, giving clarity and motivation. That is exactly what Nikki wants, what she says she wants in the car ride over to her house. It’s what Bear would get her if he actually knew or cared for her instead of the idea of her, if he put more effort in than just the thought. But no, he buys the wish because I don’t think he ever really intended to give it to her because have you ever seen something in a store and really wanted it but you’re there to buy something for a friend so you get it for them and just a small part of you wishes that it won’t end up with them? That it will stay with you instead? You justify it by thinking “well I’m the one who bought it anyway, it’s mine.” Because really it wasn’t for them, it was for you. His gift—his love, it wasn’t for her, it was for him.

oh and another thing that devastates me about Obsession is how much nikki is judged and blamed by those around her. sarah and ian repeatedly telling bear that he shouldn’t have to deal with her, that she’s not his responsibility, that they’re worried she’s taking advantage of him. as if they aren’t also her friends, as if they shouldn’t know her well enough to notice something is off. there’s no concern for why nikki is behaving the way she is, there’s just distain towards it. she starts acting out of character and so it must all be intentional. but bear doesn’t get questioned. bear isn’t gossiped about. nikki loses all her agency and autonomy, and all she gets for it is judgment

Forced to say ‘Media is subjective and all interpretations are valid. Creative license is cool :)’ Born to say ‘Anyone who makes adaptations where Jonathan is a bad person so that Mina can fall in love with Dracula should be shot point blank’