Actor Michael Johnston has become a household name as the lead actor in the horrifying summer blockbuster, Obsession. Written and directed by Curry Barker, Obsession depicts Johnston as Bear, a lonely young man who uses the One Wish Willow to make his crush, Nikki (Inde Navarrette), love him more than anyone in the world, only to realize that his wish comes at a horrifying price.
At this time, Obsession has made over $371 million in theaters worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo, making it one of the highest-grossing horror movies of all time. Following the movie’s surprising success, the main cast’s careers have taken off, with Johnston set to star in season 2 of Marvel’s hit series, X-Men ’97.
In an interview with Digital Trends, Johnston discussed Obsession‘s record-breaking run in theaters, his performance as Bear, and his relationship with the cast following the movie’s premiere.
This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
Digital Trends: Michael, thank you so much for joining me today….I’m a huge fan of the film, and, apparently, a lot of people are too. At this point, it just about finished its theatrical run, and it grossed over $300 million at the box office. It actually just beat records set by The Exorcist and Sinners, which is mind-blowing. Tell us your thoughts about so many people just going out to see this film.
Johnston: It’s crazy…I went out yesterday to a diner to read some scripts, and nine people came up to me just raving about the film, and I keep hearing people say this thing, which is really cool. They said, “I don’t really love horror movies, but I loved Obsession.”
That’s like the best compliment, and I think it just speaks to the word of mouth behind this thing. I’m so honored that something that I worked on is being seen and is resonating with people. It’s a dream. It’s amazing.
Digital Trends: In the film, you play the lead character Bear, which has been arguably your breakout role given the film’s success. How did it feel to embody such a character in this film?
Johnston: Well, making the movie, I just sort of did my thing. Yes, this is the thing that people are gonna know me for, and it’s awesome.
But I’ve been doing this for a while, and so, I think my process is I just read the script a bunch of times, talk to the director, ask my questions, and then I go in, and I start thinking about the character and what he wants most of all, and what his life was like, and what his every day must be like. And I just did that, and I just get lost.
That’s what I love about what I do. I’m telling a story. I’m living in someone else’s head. I’m a people watcher. I love to just watch and observe people and try to figure out why people do the things that they do.
So this was a really great script, but also Bear, my character, was kind of a blank slate. So I got to kind of go in, and I had all these ideas, and the director Curry and I were on the same wavelength and I’d be like, “What about this? And then he’d be like, “What about this?” And it was just so much fun.
It was so creative, and it was so collaborative. Playing the role, I had no expectation. I never thought that this movie would blow up like this.
Yes, I worked really hard. I’m gonna do everything that I do. I’m treating it like that, but it doesn’t feel real. I have no point of reference. I’ve never had this happen to me before. So maybe next time I can tell you how it feels, but right now I’m just like, “I don’t know, it’s cool.” It’s crazy.
Digital Trends: Yeah, and a lot of people had a lot of strong reactions to the film, particularly with your character and your performance. A lot of people have said online that they consider Bear the true villain of the movie, given all the questionable things he does. What are your thoughts about how so many people have reacted in that way?
Johnston: Yeah, I mean, Bear’s the villain for sure. Also, Ian’s the villain, as well. Now Bear is the villain, but Ian, come on, man. He set him up too.
I love the discourse. I’ve been out in the wild hearing people arguing about Bear. It’s so cool. As long as people realize that I’m not Bear and that I’m just acting, which not everyone realized.
Digital Trends: So a lot of people have been talking about Inde Navarette’s performance, and a lot of the horror has come from her character with her performance as “Freaky Nikki.” Were there any points throughout the production where you were genuinely terrified by what she was putting out there with her performance?
Johnston: Yeah, I wouldn’t say terrified. I would say more impressed because I knew what was going to happen in the script, but Curry and Inde would go off and rehearse those faces and the moments and everything, and I wasn’t there for that.
I didn’t get to see any of that. So I knew what was written in the script, but seeing her do it for the first time, and a lot of those times we went with the first take, I was just in the moment. I was just genuinely reacting to what she does because [of]…the control she has over her face and the nuanced little choices that she makes with her eyes.
There’s so many different things going on. It was a treat to watch her just do her thing. And yeah, like you said, she is the horror. Even though Bear is the villain, she’s the horror on the screen. And usually the horror on the screen is also the villain, but that’s not the case with this movie. It’s such a fresh take on this kind of story. But yeah, to answer your question. I was incredibly impressed with the work that she did, and she was the best scene partner.
Digital Trends: Yeah, I’ve been really impressed by her performance as well…And despite like all the things that your characters went through in the story…you continue being friends after the production was over. I saw the video of you at the Kid Cudi concert. It was amazing. How do you stay connected with all your costars after all this?
Johnston: Oh my God. Well, we’re all very busy, which is awesome. I can’t remember who set that up. I think it was Cooper [Tomlinson] talking to someone. But yeah, we have a group chat, and someone was like, “Oh my God, Kid Cudi loved the movie and invited us to go rage with him on stage during Pursuit of Happiness….It was amazing.
We’re just such great friends. Any chance that we get, we love to spend time together…we just got lucky on this one. We all just love each other, and we’re all so excited for each other and all the doors that are opening for us because of all the hard work that we poured into this film. We’re having a moment. It’s the best thing ever.
Digital Trends: Yeah, it’s pure magic. And now Focus Features has said they’re working on an awards campaign for the movie. How do you feel about the film getting that sort of buzz?
Johnston: I don’t know. Look, that would be amazing. I haven’t really even been on the Internet in the last couple weeks because I’ve just been working on stuff. I’ve heard that, but I don’t know. That would be incredible. I honestly can’t even…my brain’s not ready to go there right now…I can’t deal with it. It’s too much.
Digital Trends: Yeah, one step at a time. So following the success of this movie, despite what happened to your character in the film, do you see yourself returning in a potential sequel? I know there have been talks about that recently, and the film, it deals with the One Wish Willow. Anything could happen.
Johnston: I’m sure one day we’re going to see something with the One Wish Willow because it’s brilliant. I don’t know anything about a sequel. That would be awesome, but I truly don’t know what’s in store for the One Wish Willow, but, regardless of whether or not I return for that, I’m sat.
Digital Trends: So after Obsession, do you see yourself working with Curry and the rest of the cast on another project?
Johnston: Are you kidding? If we had the opportunity to, absolutely, I’d love to work with Curry again. We already know he’s working on some really cool stuff. I think he has his next handful of projects lined up, and he deserves it. It’s absolutely incredible. And he’s going to kill it. Oh my God, I’m so excited for Anything but Ghosts and Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
But yeah, I would jump to work with Curry again, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we get to. As far as the rest of the cast, totally same. I’d love to do something with Cooper, and I’d love to do something with Megan [Lawless]. We talk about it all the time. So maybe one day we end up writing our own part together if it just doesn’t happen organically, but I think it’ll happen.
Digital Trends: Fantastic. Is there anything you’d like to say to the fans of Obsession?
Johnston: Yeah, just “Thanks.” You guys are the best. People are telling me they went to see the movie multiple times. I don’t even know if there’s a movie that I’ve gone to see multiple times. So that’s just like the best compliment.
Watch Obsession on PVOD platforms today, and on 4K ULTRA HD, Blu-Ray, and DVD on July 14.