Obsession arrived like one of those late night internet discoveries that refuses to leave your mind. What began as a passion project from YouTube filmmaker Curry Barker quickly transformed into one of the most talked about independent horror successes in recent memory, proving that creators raised on digital platforms can command the same attention as traditional studio storytellers. Barker's rise from online sketch creator to breakout horror director became part of the film's appeal, with audiences embracing both the movie and the filmmaker behind it.

Yet for Barker, Obsession was never the destination. It was the opening chapter. While many emerging filmmakers spend years searching for a follow up capable of matching their breakout success, Barker is already pushing his horror mythology into far more ambitious territory. 

Curry Barker recently confirmed that Anything but Ghosts takes place within the same universe as Obsession and will feature a connection to the mysterious One Wish Willow mythology that haunted the earlier film. The project stars Barker alongside longtime collaborator Cooper Tomlinson who is also co-writer, while also welcoming acclaimed actors Aaron Paul and Bryce Dallas Howard into the cast.

The production itself has moved quickly. Principal photography began on March 9, 2026, in Vancouver under the working title Faraday and wrapped on April 11, 2026. Industry listings currently point toward a 2027 release. The cast has continued to grow with Violet McGraw, known for M3GAN, and Chris Reinacher joining the lineup. Although character details remain tightly guarded, IMDb currently lists Barker as a character named Mouse.

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The most intriguing question, however, is how deeply this new story will intertwine with the mythology that Barker has already established.

For horror fans, shared universes are at their most effective when connections enhance the mythology rather than overwhelm it. Curry Barker appears to understand that balance. He recently revealed that Anything but Ghosts contains a reference to Nikki's fate following the events of Obsession, mentioning a news report discussing a woman connected to a triple homicide. 

Obsession followed Bear's disastrous use of a supernatural toy linked to the One Wish Willow, resulting in the deaths of Sarah and Ian before Bear himself died, ultimately breaking the curse's hold over Nikki. Barker's tease suggests the aftermath of those events continues to ripple through this universe, even if the new film focuses on different characters.

The possibility of learning more about the One Wish Willow may be even more exciting. Much of Obsession's horror stemmed from what audiences did not fully understand. Expanding that mythology without overexplaining it could give Anything but Ghosts the same unsettling quality that made its predecessor resonate with genre fans. Rather than delivering a direct continuation, Barker seems poised to build a larger supernatural world where consequences echo across multiple stories.

If that approach succeeds, Anything but Ghosts could become far more than a follow up. It could establish the foundation for a genuinely unique independent horror franchise. With a growing cast, bigger production backing, and a direct connection to one of indie horror's most intriguing recent stories, it is shaping up as one of the most anticipated genre releases on the horizon. 

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What are your theories about its connection to Obsession? Share your thoughts in the comments.