Entertainment
Extremely Graphic, New R-Rated Movie Inspired By The Simpsons Treehouse Of Horror Delivers Madness
By Chris Sawin
| Published
Bear (Michael Johnston) has a crush on his childhood friend and co-worker Nikki (Inde Navarrette). It’s not just a little crush, as Bear has been in love with Nikki for as long as he can remember, but he can’t tell her how he feels. His best friend Ian (Cooper Tomlinson) and his girlfriend Sarah (Megan Lawless) encourage him to just tell Nikki how he feels, but he never capitalizes on the opportunity.
The four of them work at a music store together, and Nikki tells Bear she’s going to put in her two weeks because it feels like the right time to move on. One night, Bear is supposed to meet his friends for drinks, but stops at a new-age shop to get Nikki a gift. He winds up getting a One Wish Willow, a gag toy that seemingly grants wishes.
After Bear fumbles what is perhaps the widest opening anyone could have to tell their crush that they have feelings for them, he uses the One Wish Willow himself and wishes that Nikki loved him more than anyone in the world. Unfortunately for him, the toy actually grants his wish, but he never could have imagined the weight of a wish that heavy.
Curry Barker’s Obsession Was Inspired By The Simpsons
This is Obsession, Curry Barker’s first theatrical feature film. He got his start on YouTube with Cooper Tomlinson as a part of the sketch comedy duo “that’s a bad idea.” In addition to comedy shorts, Barker also dabbled in horror. His directorial debut, Milk & Serial, was made in four months on an $800 budget. The film was released for free on YouTube, went viral, and is the reason Barker is a film director today.
Obsession was initially inspired by the “Treehouse of Horror II” episode of The Simpsons, specifically the segment where Bart finds a monkey’s paw that grants wishes. Conceptually, Obsession is a lot like Osgood Perkins’ The Monkey. Both films are about a cursed item or toy that does exactly what it’s advertised to do. But whereas Perkins’s film is practically built around a cast of asshole characters, essentially bridging the gap between unbelievable deaths, Obsession has a more coherent story; most of the characters are still selfish assholes, but the gore feels earned.
Deep Into Unrestrained Madness
For the first hour of Obsession, the film is mostly driven by dialogue that explores how the wish has affected Nikki, and by the slow reveal of just how deep into unrestrained madness Nikki has been thrust. It’s also safe to say that Inde Navarrette’s performance will make or break your opinion of the film. It’s a tricky situation because Navarrette does a stellar job of bringing this insanity to life, but there’s no arguing that she’s annoying as hell.
On one hand, that is kind of the point of Bear’s wish; that he’s bitten off more than he can chew, and we as the audience have to pay for that in some regard. But Navarrette’s screeching tantrums, as Nikki’s overwhelming clinginess overshadows the undeniable creepiness, unexpected moments of humor, and any other positive qualities this tiny $1 million supernatural horror film has.
What Obsession gets right about Nikki is that there seem to be momentary lapses with the wish where she regains control and has just enough time to scream, “What the f— am I doing” before jolting right back into Bear worship mode. Nikki’s reactions in the film are what keep it interesting. You never know how far she’s going to go because just when you think she’s crossed a line, she surpasses it in the next scene. This film treats Bear’s cat as if it’s auditioning for Bernie in Weekend at Bernie’s, and most of that is Nikki’s doing.
In addition to acting erratically and violently, Nikki basically starts glitching as if the wish is altering her perception of reality. Bear wakes up in the middle of the night to find Nikki standing in the far corner of the bedroom, hiding behind furniture in the darkness. She begins yelling and doing strange things with a flower vase before moving around the room unnaturally.
At Its Nastiest In Its Last Thirty Minutes
As mentioned previously, Obsession rides on dialogue and unsettling behavior for its first hour. This is noteworthy because the bright red movie standee for Obsession at the theater featured a quote calling the film a blood bath. Obsession is at its nastiest in its last 20-30 minutes. Without spoiling too much, Nikki really only mutilates two things throughout the film; herself, not included. She likes to come back around to the things she’s destroyed. Maybe it’s because there are things that Bear enjoyed that weren’t hers.
But that nastiness isn’t just referring to the blood spilled in Obsession. Bear’s friends reveal their true nature near the end of the film, and it’s at a pivotal moment in the story. Bear figures out a way to break the wish, but one of his friends lets him down big time. The film takes a huge swing with its finale, as its final moments are incredible. It’s bleak and devastating, but it’s also something the film builds up from the moment Bear walks into the store inquiring about the One Wish Willow.
Curry Barker has crafted something mostly special for an almost non-existent budget. The story is compelling, the acting is solid, and Obsession feels like a breath of fresh air in comparison to similar horror films. However, it’s disappointing that one shrill character trait nearly ruins the entire film. It’s because of this that Obsession will have to settle for being a well-made, well-written film dominated by one aggressively irritating character, which will hinder future rewatches much like Frank Darabont’s The Mist.
Obsession will be released in theaters on May 15 through Focus Features.
Entertainment
Review: Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 are the best headphones you (probably) cant afford
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After spending a few months with them, I think the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 wireless headphones are the best headphones money can buy in 2026. That is — if you can afford them, which you probably can’t.
That’s not a knock on your earning capacity, but I’m making an educated guess that the average person can’t afford to drop $799 on a pair of headphones, no matter how good they are.
And they’re really good.
Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 is a true luxury product
The PX8 S2 uses Nappa leather and aluminum.
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
I have to admit — my favorite thing about the PX8 S2 may just be the design. I’m a sucker for headphones with metal and leather components, and I’ve often criticized Sony for its all-plastic approach to headphone design.
Like other B&W products, these headphones use a combination of die-cast aluminum and Nappa leather, which his known for its subtle grain and ultra-soft feel. Most headphones feature “vegan leather,” which is just a tricky way of saying synthetic leather, which is usually a petroleum and plastic-based product. (Side note: Rebranding a plastic product as vegan is one of the crueler marketing tricks in the consumer world.)
The controls on the PX8 S2 are simple and intuitive.
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
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I love the design of the PX8 S2. The aluminum frame slides smoothly in and out of the leather-covered headband, and an exposed braided cable connects the earcups to the body. The metal touch controls are finely etched, and even the Bowers & Wilkins engraved on the earcups appears almost pixelated upon close examination. Every little detail is elegant and finely considered.
These headphones look similar to some other Bowers & Wilkins products like the Px7 S3 headphones, but with some nice upgrades. I will say, the headphones don’t look quite as good on you as they do on their own, and I have to give it up to the Apple AirPods Max 2 for overall cool factor.
But as I said when these headphones first came out, I still think they’re the best-designed headphones for sale right now.
How does the PX8 S2 sound? Really damn good.
These headphones are well designed down to the tiniest details.
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
For its newest flagship headphones, Bowers & Wilkins engineered a reference-quality pair of headphones, and while I’m not an audio engineer, I think they succeeded. These headphones produce a rich, balanced sound that sounds vivid and clear across the audio spectrum.
I don’t hear any sacrifices in bass, mids, or treble when listening to Radiohead’s Kid A, one of my go-to albums for testing headphone quality. The chaotic instrumentals of “National Anthem” have never sounded clearer to me, and that holds true whether I’m listening to Radiohead, Florence + The Machine, or Vivaldi.
To produce such deep sound, B&W uses custom-designed 40mm Carbon Cone drivers, which the brand promises deliver “our best sound quality ever.”
Now, let’s get technical. Unlike the new Apple AirPods Max 2, these headphones support high-resolution lossless audio over Bluetooth, not just via a USB-C connection. The headphones support aptX Lossless, AAC, and SBC codecs. They deliver 24-bit digital signal processing for the highest resolution audio.
If you consider yourself an audiophile, these luxury headphones won’t disappoint you.
Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2: ANC is great, but not elite
The sound quality is superb, but noise cancellation is outshined by Bose and Sony.
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
These headphones offer decent passive noise cancellation and high-quality active noise cancellation. On a commute, on a plane, or in a crowded office, they deliver more than enough noise cancellation for my needs.
That being said, if you’re looking for the best possible ANC, then the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) headphones still offer superior noise cancellation. At launch, these headphones were also missing the kind of spatial audio you’ll find on most flagship headphones. This has since been made available in an over-the-air update (look for the “True Immersion” setting in the app), but, once again, it’s not quite on the level of Apple, Sony, or Bose.
Likewise, while Sony and Apple both support Dolby Atmos, B&W doesn’t. However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. As a Bowers & Wilkins representative told me, most music isn’t produced for spatial audio. So, if you’re chasing true high-fidelity, reference-quality sound, immersive audio features can actually compromise the audio.
B&W PX8 S2: Battery and call quality
The PX8 S2 headphones have up to 30 hours of battery life with ANC on.
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
The PX8 S2 offers 30 hours of battery life with ANC engaged, which is exactly on par with the Sony XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2. (Apple AirPods Max 2 have only 20 hours, in comparison.) You can also get seven hours of playback with a 15-minute quick charge. So, pretty much in line with what you’d expect.
That said, there are some outliers. The Dyson OnTrac headphones offered 55 hours of ANC listening all the way back in 2024. More recently, the Soundcore Space 2 and Sennheiser Momentum 4 also offer 50+ hours.
Lastly, I’ve been happy with the call quality (and the noise cancellation on call quality) with the PX8 S2. They have eight microphones total, which is four fewer than the Sony XM6, but I haven’t had any problems here.
How comfortable are these headphones?
Even the carrying case looks good.
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
Mashable puts a big premium on comfortable headphones that can be worn for many hours without interruption. In recent years, the Bose QuietComfort line has been completely unmatched in this regard, and that remains true.
Because of the metal components, these headphones are heavier than some competitors. Notably, at 310 grams, the PX8 S2 do weigh less than Apple AirPods Max 2 headphones, which weigh 386.2 grams. However, the latest flagship QuietComfort Ultra headphones are lighter at 264 grams.
If you’re wearing headphones all day at work, you will notice the difference. That said, I haven’t found these headphones to be uncomfortable, even when wearing my glasses. You’ll have to decide if comfort or premium design is more important to you. Ultimately, you may prefer the lightweight feel of the Sony XM6 (254 grams).
The $799 question: Are the PX8 S2 worth it?
This question is really hard to answer unless I know how much you would miss that $799 in your bank account. For people who’d barely notice, these headphones are absolutely worth it, IMO. I’ve been using them for six months, and I’ve been unable to switch back to my Sony XM6.
I also think these headphones are durable and fairly futureproofed, so they shouldn’t need replacement anytime soon. I’m all for spending more for a longer-lasting, higher-quality product.
And yet… $799 is a big ask, and these headphones would probably be wasted on the average Spotify listener. But for audiophiles and people in the premium market, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
One last note: If you’re waiting on these headphones to go on sale, don’t hold your breath. Virtually all gadgets are getting more expensive in 2026, and these headphones almost never go on sale. When they do, they typically get a measly $10 discount. So, womp, womp.
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Make the upgrade to Windows 11 Pro — on sale for $9.97
TL;DR: A lifetime license for Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is on sale for $9.97 (reg. $199).
If you’re still running Windows 10, here’s the deal – Microsoft pulled the plug on support back in October of 2025, meaning no more security updates. If you’ve been putting off the upgrade, you can switch to Windows 11 Pro right now while it’s on sale for just $9.97 (was $199).
Windows 11 Pro brings a noticeably cleaner interface along with improved multitasking tools like snap layouts and virtual desktops, both of which are great tools if you regularly juggle multiple windows or work on several projects at once.
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On the security side, you’re getting biometric login, Smart App Control, and BitLocker encryption, which is a huge step up from an OS that isn’t getting security updates at all. These enhanced security tools add an extra layer of security when you’re logging into your computer, block untrusted or dangerous apps, and lock down your information if anyone gets their hands on your device. They’re a must for anyone handling sensitive files or working remotely.
Think about what’s actually changed since Windows 10 launched over a decade ago. The way we work, the security threats we’re up against, and the tools we rely on daily have all evolved. Windows 11 Pro is built with consideration for these changes. Whether you’re working from home, managing files, or just tired of your OS feeling dated, this upgrade brings day-to-day improvements that people truly notice. At $9.97 for a lifetime license, it’s an easy call if you’re still on Windows 10.
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Protect your PC and upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for $9.97.
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Last day to get lifetime ChatGPT, Gemini, and more for $75
TL;DR: Get lifetime access to ChatGPT, Gemini, and more with 1min.AI, today only for $74.97 (reg. $540).
If you’re juggling multiple AI subscriptions just to cover all your bases, there’s a smarter way to do it. 1min.AI pulls ChatGPT, Gemini, Mistral, and dozens of other top AI tools into one browser-based platform — and right now, a lifetime subscription is just $74.97 (reg. $540).
So what can you do about it? A lot, honestly. 1min.AI is built for the kind of work that usually requires four or five different tabs open at once. Draft blog posts, rewrite and tighten copy, generate social content, research keywords, and keep your brand voice consistent across every project. Need to crunch documents? You can summarize, translate, or chat directly with multiple PDFs at the same time. There are also tools to build slide decks, generate images from text prompts, upscale low-res photos, remove backgrounds, extend edges, and turn rough sketches into polished visuals.
Here’s just a few of the AI models:
The plan comes loaded with 4,000,000 credits per month, and you can earn up to 450,000 additional credits through daily logins and small tasks. Credits work across writing, images, audio, and video — so you can shift your usage as the month demands. Unused credits roll over, so a slower month doesn’t mean wasted money.
The plan also supports up to 20 team members, with shared workspaces, an unlimited prompt library, unlimited storage, and unlimited brand voices. It’s a serious toolkit whether you’re a solo creator or managing a small team.
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Lifetime access to 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan is $74.97 right now, but this offer expires May 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT. After that, it’s gone.
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