‘Obsession’ Star Inde Navarrette Will Campaign for Best Actress at the Oscars

Inde Navarrette is officially entering the Oscar race.

The breakout star of Obsession will campaign in the Best Actress category for her performance as Nikki in Curry Barker’s surprise horror hit, putting an end to speculation over whether the actress would be positioned as a lead or supporting contender.

Navarrette’s performance has been one of the most talked-about elements of Obsession since the film’s release. What initially looked like another breakout horror performance has increasingly become part of the larger awards conversation, with Navarrette appearing on several early lists of potential Best Actress contenders.

Obsession [credit: Focus Features]

The decision to campaign her as a lead also makes sense considering the role Nikki plays throughout the film. While Michael Johnston’s Bear drives the story’s initial premise, Navarrette becomes a major force behind the movie as Nikki’s feelings spiral into something increasingly dangerous.

Written and directed by Barker, Obsession follows Bear, a music store employee who uses a mysterious object known as the One Wish Willow to wish that his longtime friend Nikki would fall in love with him. The wish works, but Nikki’s affection quickly becomes an increasingly terrifying obsession.

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025 before being acquired by Focus Features and eventually arriving in theaters in May 2026. What followed was one of the year’s biggest horror success stories, with the low-budget film becoming a major box office hit while generating significant critical attention.

Inde Navarrette in Obsession [credit: Focus Features]

Navarrette was already familiar to television audiences through roles in 13 Reasons Why and Superman & Lois, where she played Sarah Cushing. Obsession, however, has quickly elevated the actress into an entirely different level of Hollywood attention.

An Oscar nomination would also represent another significant moment for the horror genre, which has historically struggled to receive recognition in major acting categories despite delivering some of cinema’s most memorable performances.

Whether Navarrette ultimately makes the final five remains to be seen, but the campaign makes one thing clear: Focus Features is treating Obsession as much more than a box office success.

The horror breakout is officially heading into awards season.

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