Sober movie review: Obsession

Sober movie review: Obsession

Get ready to be moved by real-life accounts of how addiction can hijack a life, all sparked by a trip to the cinema. In this LOL Sober instalment, Nelson, an alcoholic addict writing under a pen name, breaks down the surprise box office smash *Obsession* and what it says about craving, compulsion and recovery.

Nelson chats about the film’s wild success — it cost about $750,000 to make and has earned roughly $425 million — with his trademark dry humour: “You don’t need to be an accountant at a drug cartel to realise that is a good return on investment.” But the heart of the episode sits in the story itself.

A young man wishes that his female friend would love him more than anything, the wish comes true, and her love mutates into something destructive. As Nelson explains, she becomes consumed: “Every action must support her addiction. In this case, the addiction is a guy, is him.” Her old self occasionally breaks through, yet the “autopilot zombie version” keeps taking over.

Nelson sees a clear link to addiction, where the healthy part of a person feels trapped inside while the compulsive part runs the show. You’ll hear how this film, equal parts horror and comedy, mirrors the inner battle many people know from drinking and using — that feeling of a “monster” taking over and the sense that fighting it alone is hopeless.

He praises the ending for actually sticking the landing, and gives the film three and a half stars, only knocking the somewhat bland male lead. This episode suits anyone who likes their sobriety content with jokes, jump scares and genuine reflection. If you enjoy having recovery themes woven through pop culture rather than heavy lectures, this one hits the spot. Could a horror movie be one of the clearest mirrors of addiction you’ve ever heard described?