Obsession's Director Confirmed What Happens to Nikki — But One Thing Could Change It

There’s so much to unpack in Obsession, but how would the story play out for Nikki after the credits roll?

Director Curry Barker’s incredible horror movie has taken the world by storm this year, breaking box office records, pleasing fans and critics alike, and making a star of its leading lady, Inde Navarrette.

We’ve already dissected the bedroom scene and that wild party where Nikki is at her most unhinged, but one thing we haven't considered, until now, is what the future would hold for the Obsession character after the One Wish Willow spell is broken. Thanks to Barker, we know Nikki's likely bleak post-movie future, but there could be a hint of salvation for her. Watch out as we explore this idea, as there will be spoilers ahead.

Curry Barker Reveals What Happens to Nikki After Obsession

Barker has been very forthcoming when it comes to the finer details of his film, either confirming or debunking plenty of Obsession theories.

Speaking to Cinemablend, for instance, Barker revealed what he thinks would happen to Nikki once the credits roll, and it’s a pretty grim outcome for the poor girl.

He said, “She probably goes to jail. She's probably going to prison for a very long time.”

With Bear dead in her arms after overdosing on pills, Ian lying lifeless in the doorway after being shot in the head, and Sarah no longer having a face after Nikki smashed her repeatedly with a brick, Nikki is the sole survivor of the whole mess. It's safe to say things don’t look good for her by the end.

Technically, she has killed two people. Based on typical convictions in the US criminal justice system, Nikki could expect to serve over 100 years in prison. 

If we want to get really granular and realistic with this, the film takes place in Los Angeles, where the death penalty is legal. However, no executions have taken place there since 2006, when a state moratorium was introduced.

Could the One Wish Willow Save Nikki From Jail?

There could be a pretty simple solution to all this for Nikki, though. Whether it would be enough to reverse all charges and allow her to walk away without any punishment or not depends entirely on the judge and jury, but the One Wish Willow could actually be her best bet to evade prosecution.

While we don't know how, the One Wish Willow does work. All that Nikki and her defence team would need to do to prove that she was under the influence is to show just how effective the Willow is. Perhaps they could hire a group of volunteers to make wishes in court and let the proof present itself?

They could also get the store assistants who sold the One Wish Willow to Bear to come forward and attest to the effectiveness of the spellbinding gift. Both the girl working there and the man later in the film clearly knew that the One Wish Willow really works. The man even told Bear he had already used his wish, and their testimonies could be crucial for Nikki.

There are also survivors from Ian’s party who witnessed Nikki acting exceedingly strange, who might be able to come to her defence. At the time, it definitely felt like those at the party who didn’t know Nikki all that well would have thought she was just inebriated and/or being overly possessive, but their account of her behaviour might just be enough to raise reasonable doubt, at least.

Nikki Would Still Be Traumatised From Bear’s Wish

It’s important to remember that the after-effects of Bear’s wish are not confined purely to the legal ramifications facing Nikki. More than anything, the mental impact on her will be huge.

Even in the simplest terms, imagine waking up from a period of unconsciousness to find that your friends are all dead and you have no idea what has happened. That would be traumatic enough, but when we consider that it’s almost certain that the real Nikki was suffering greatly while the spell was in effect – based on her screams during the phone call Bear made to the One Wish Willow customer services rep and, later, her plea for Bear to kill her – the damage to her psyche is going to be long-lasting and deep-rooted.

This ties into the themes of sexual assault and autonomy that the film addresses so effectively. Nikki may have survived the horrific ordeal Bear put her through, but that doesn’t mean that the torment ends just because Bear is gone.

Whether she’s in prison or not, it’s Nikki who is left to pick up the pieces. Somehow, she will have to try to find some semblance of normality while constantly being haunted by the memory of the suffering she has endured.