Dolby Atmos Makes Obsession’s Slow Burn Horror Deeply Immersive
By leaning into atmosphere over exposition, Obsession becomes less a conventional horror and more a visual experience - especially on the big screen.
By : Guest Post
Update: 2026-05-29 13:24 GMT
Hyderabad: I was super excited to watch my first ‘horror’ film - Obsession in a theatre, and got the opportunity to watch it at Allu Arjun’s Allu Cinemas in Kokapet. It was also my first visit to this ‘iconic’ cineplex, home to Asia’s largest Dolby Cinema. What more could I ask for? Armed with a tub of popcorn to beat any impending stress and jump scares, we waited for the movie to unfold.
Obsession is a psychological horror film directed by YouTube sketch artist-turned-filmmaker Curry Barker. It was released in India on May 29, 2026. A new-age horror film, it delves into the life of Bear, played by Michael Johnston, a music store employee who buys a magical toy that grants his wish for his childhood friend Nikki, played brilliantly by Inde Navarrette, to fall in love with him.
What ensues over the next 108 minutes of horrifying consequences forms the crux of Obsession ( pun intended).
While the hopeless romantic finds himself getting what he wanted, the sequence of events takes a drastic turn, leading to disturbing episodes of scares, gore, and horror. This is a film that explores the thin line between love and obsession, proving both emotionally intense and psychologically unsettling. This isn’t just a dramatic twist … it slowly builds tension through its characters, atmosphere, and emotional conflict.
Rather than relying heavily on jump scares, the movie builds tension slowly through unsettling visuals. The cinematography uses dark tones and tight frames effectively, making the audience feel trapped in the character’s emotional state.
This is where the beauty of watching it on a Dolby Vision and Atmos-enabled screen makes the slow-burning film engrossing. The premium seats and end-to-end curved screen felt completely different from any of the movie/multiplex theatres I have been to before. It was like watching a gigantic LED TV with no heads obstructing my view. Unlike regular screens, the clarity was top-notch, and the dark scenes and eerie close-ups really gave it an edge.
The background score and soundtrack, composed by Rock Burwell, also add to the uneasy mood without overpowering the scenes. The screen I got to know is equipped with a 72-speaker configuration, wall surrounds, and overhead speakers, and other technical aspects that heightened the scary moments and made them unnerving, even though the film has no actual horror elements and plays more like a psychological thriller.
The performances are one of the film’s strongest aspects. The cast brings vulnerability and emotional realism to the story, making the darker moments feel believable. The film’s emotional conflicts feel grounded, which makes the horror impactful.
More than a conventional horror film, Obsession examines toxic attachment, emotional dependency, and the consequences of trying to control another person’s feelings. Dark, uncomfortable, and emotionally intense, it leaves a lingering impact.
However, the pacing won’t work for everyone. Some scenes take time building tension, which may feel slow to viewers expecting a fast-moving horror film. But by leaning into atmosphere over exposition, Obsession becomes less a conventional horror and more a visual experience - especially on the big screen at Allu Cinemas.
(This review is written by Keerthana, a student at EFLU, interning at Deccan Chronicle)