RGV Says Obsession Is a “Slap on the Face” for Big-Budget Filmmakers

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has shared a detailed review of the Hollywood horror blockbuster Obsession, and his comments have grabbed attention on social media. The director believes the film is a major lesson for filmmakers who think big budgets are the key to success.

RGV wrote, “OBSESSION is how we SHOOT and CUT and not WHAT.” He said the film was made on a very small budget compared to most commercial movies. According to him, a film shot mainly in “just 2 rooms, interior of a car and a small store with 5 new actors” could not have cost much, yet it has gone on to earn more than $238 million worldwide.

The filmmaker praised director Curry Barker’s vision and described his filmmaking style as “deceptively simplistic, but highly weaponized.” He explained that Barker uses confined spaces to trap the audience within the characters’ world, creating a feeling of tension and fear.

Varma was particularly impressed with the film’s editing and sound design. He called the editing “a rhythmic psychological assault,” saying that rapid cuts mixed with long pauses, sudden sounds, and emotional performances make viewers feel the horror rather than simply watch it.

Speaking about one memorable moment, Varma said the interval shot that stays on Nikki’s face was “My most favourite shot.” He felt that such scenes prove how powerful creative storytelling can be.

The director also said Obsession offers “important lessons” for everyone connected to filmmaking. He argued that rigorous directorial vision, cutting edge editing and sound design for emotional punctuation can create a much greater impact than CGI armies, massive sets and 500 crore budgets.”

RGV further stated that producers and directors should see “low budgets as liberation, not limitation.” According to him, Obsession is “a wake up call” and even “a SLAP ON THE FACE” for an industry that often chases stars, remakes, and oversized spectacles.

Ending his post, Varma said Curry Barker’s biggest achievement was teaching filmmakers that their “OBSESSION should be about making BETTER FILMS and not BIGGER FILMS.”