Michael Johnston in 'Obsession.'

Focus Features /Courtesy Everett Collection

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Inside 'Obsession's' Ending: Inde Navarrette on Nikki's Fate and Becoming Horror's Newest Scream Queen

Since the film explores themes of co-dependency and consent, Bear’s choices have become a major point of discussion. Too afraid to confess his feelings to his longtime crush and friend, Nikki (Inde Navarrette), Bear instead turns to using a One Wish Willow for her to love him more than anyone else in the world. When his wish comes true, Bear initially embraces the fantasy, ignoring red flags and the increasingly disturbing changes in Nikki’s behavior as he commits to their relationship. But as it begins to become painfully clear — particularly during the infamous dinner scene and later that night — that Nikki is no longer herself, Bear’s decision to stay, despite Ian’s (Cooper Tomlinson) warnings, raises questions about desire and denial.

Below, the former Teen Wolf star opens up in a candid conversation about why Bear makes the choices he does, what was really going through his mind during that “What’s so bad about being with me?” moment, whether Sarah (Megan Lawless) may have been the better path, if Ian was sabotaging his relationship with Nikki and how Johnston’s own ideas ultimately helped shape the film’s ending.

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How did this project get on your radar, and what was the process with your audition and casting?

I was sent an email from my reps with the script, and they just said, “Here’s a script. Read it. Tell us if you’re interested, and then we’ll go from there.” So I read the script in one sitting immediately. I was on my way out the door. I don’t even remember where I was supposed to go, and I said, “I’m just gonna look at a few pages.” I read the whole thing and canceled my plans. I loved it. I’m a big horror consumer and fan through and through. And I said, “What can we do? How do we move forward?” So they set up a meeting with Curry, and we just hit it off right away. I ended up being brought in for a chemistry read with girls to play Nikki. I read with a few girls. Inde was the last one that came into the room. I think everyone knew that it was the right fit. There was electricity in the air. And I got the call a little later that I got the role. So it wasn’t your typical, I auditioned first, it just came across my desk. I found out later that someone knew someone who threw my name in the hat. I’m gonna give credit to Skyler Zurn [Obsession’s casting director] and she really…they did a big search for this role, so I’m so grateful to be a part of it.

From playing this character, why do you think Bear was afraid to tell Nikki how he truly felt about her?

That’s the question, isn’t it? Sometimes I had to ask myself that question, because I get it. It’s hard sometimes to tell someone how you really feel. The fear of rejection. But Bear in this movie is just an example of the absolutely wrong thing to do. The farthest end of that spectrum. I think that’s just part of who he is. He’s just someone who maybe lacks that self-confidence. He’s so afraid of rejection that the idea of possible rejection is more painful. And so it’s too hard. It was just too hard for him. He couldn’t handle it. Poor guy, bless his heart. (Laughs.)

One could say that Nikki was giving mixed signals. I spoke with Inde, and she thinks that if Bear had just told her the truth, maybe they could have tried something. What is your reaction to that? Do you think they could have had a relationship and this all could have been avoided?

I heard Inde say tha

Obsession: Audiences Debate Whether Bear Is the Movie's Real Villain