Obsession Golden Globes: $500M hit’s surprising comedy bid

Focus Features has submitted “Obsession” to the Golden Globes in the musical or comedy categories, The Hollywood Reporter reported Wednesday. The Obsession Golden Globes decision shapes the film’s awards path and could open a friendlier field for star Inde Navarrette, though it also puts her head-to-head with the race’s strongest lead actress contender.

The choice is likely to raise eyebrows in awards circles. Curry Barker’s film, made for $750,000, has grossed more than $500 million worldwide, according to THR, and it blends horror with dark comedy. The story follows the chaos and violence that erupt after a young man is granted his wish that a young woman, Nikki, love him more than anyone in the world. Navarrette plays the wish version of Nikki.

Many pundits expected a drama submission given the film’s violence and scares. But people tied to the film insist it plays as a comedy, THR reported: Audiences tend to laugh at Navarrette’s expressions, remarks and wilder behavior, many of which have become memes, and Golden Globes voters themselves have signaled they see it as a comedy.

Insiders also point to precedent for the Obsession Golden Globes strategy. Genre-blurring films including “Get Out,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “Triangle of Sadness,” “Poor Things,” “The Substance” and “Bugonia” all landed Golden Globe nominations for best motion picture, musical or comedy, and “Banshees” and “Poor Things” won. A Golden Globes committee must approve category submissions but tends to defer to distributors, according to THR. Past comedy entries have drawn criticism too, most famously “The Martian,” which competed and won as a comedy at the Globes despite being a survival drama.

Obsession Golden Globes outlook for Navarrette

The move may give Navarrette, who broke out with the film, an easier path to a best actress nomination. Most top actress contenders are expected on the drama side, THR noted, including Virginie Efira (“All of a Sudden”), Renate Reinsve (“Fjord”), Carrie Coon (“The Liberation”), Emily Blunt (“Disclosure Day”), Léa Seydoux (“Gentle Monster”), Helen Mirren (“A Talent for Murder”), Penélope Cruz (“Bunker”), Rosalind Eleazar (“Misty Green”), Marion Bailey (“Tender Loving Care”) and Sandra Hüller, who is in contention for both “Rose” and “Fatherland.”

On the comedy side, the field thins, but one major hurdle remains: Navarrette now faces Julianne Moore of “The Debut,” whom THR called the strongest of all best actress contenders.

Best picture and box office prospects

In the musical or comedy best picture race, “Obsession” is likely to compete with “Wild Horse Nine,” “The Invite,” “Club Kid,” “The Debut” and “Michael,” a formidable group but perhaps less daunting than the drama field, which is expected to include “The Odyssey,” “La Bola Negra,” “Project Hail Mary,” “Fjord,” “All of a Sudden,” “I Play Rocky,” “Elsinore,” “Tender Loving Care,” “Paper Tiger” and “Dune: Part Three,” according to THR. Read more about two of those contenders in our coverage of A24’s “The Invite” and the “Elsinore” movie.

Whatever happens in the genre categories, “Obsession” is expected to compete strongly for best box office achievement, a Globe that considers all films. Navarrette’s rise has also fueled casting buzz, including reports about her “X-Men” role.

What’s next for the Obsession Golden Globes run

The Golden Globes submission deadline is Oct. 30. Motion picture nomination ballots go to voters Nov. 24 and are due Dec. 4, according to AwardsWatch. The 84th Golden Globe nominations will be announced Monday, Dec. 7, and the ceremony, hosted by Nikki Glaser for the third straight year, is set for Sunday, Jan. 10, 2027, on CBS and Paramount+.

Reporting from The Hollywood Reporter and AwardsWatch contributed to this story.