‘Obsession’s One Wish Willow, Explained: Was It Inspired By A ‘Real’ Demon?
Curry Barker’s Obsession has gotten theater audiences obsessed over the movie about a young man who wishes his crush loved him, and it comes true with violent interest. But the one thing that has reeled in audiences outside the theater has been the One Wish Willow.
The mysterious plot device that grants anyone’s wish comes with a specific set of rules and lacks a deeper history, but the lore in the name opens many doors. Here’s what we know about the One Wish Willow, what it’s based on, and how it could be inspired by a real demon in folklore.
How Does a One Wish Willow Work?
In Obsession, the One Wish Willow is found by Bear in a local metaphysical shop. The cashier says that they’ve been selling a lot, and those that come back are often mad over the product, but never says why. How it works is you break the willow stick while you make a wish, and it comes true. That’s it.
However, depending on what you wish for, like Bear wishing Nikki would love him more than anyone on the Earth, it leaves room for dark misinterpretations. There’s even a number on the box Bear calls to get help, but there’s no wish cancellation policy, and the real Nikki was trapped on the other end, screaming, adding to the supernatural element of the Willow. What’s worse is you only get one wish, and an attempt to make another won’t work, as the willow won’t snap.
Willows are Tied to the Demonic and the Supernatural
Ironically, while the One Wish Willow never existed, the concept of willows being tied to the supernatural isn’t out of the ordinary. From William Shakespeare to even deeper European lore, the Willow has always been tied to the peculiar, including lore of mischievous elves chatting in the willows. Even Japanese lore compared the willow to spirits, while Chinese folklore tied it more so to death and mourning.
The phrase “knock on wood” also originated from people knocking on the willow trunk to fend off bad luck. This only scratches the surface of the willow lore, but the most interesting connection that could have an unconfirmed connection to Obsession is tied to a demon known as the Rokita.
The name is also tied to a type of willow, and it’s said that if you sit under one and renounce your faith, the Rokita (or Devil) will grant you one wish. While it connects wonderfully to the lore of Obsession, there’s not enough to confirm this means anything, though it’s enough to enhance the story should you find it makes it better for you.
What Is Obsession’s One Wish Willow Really Inspired by?
Obsession’s One Wish Willow is undoubtedly one of the most creative horror devices that has come out in the past decade. Wholly original and more deadly than it lets on, it plays on nostalgia of a simpler time and the gimmicks that came from it. However, the inspiration for it is far more simple than demons or the supernatural.
According to the director, Curry Barker, the concept is inspired by W.W. Jacobs’ short story, The Monkey’s Paw, in which a family gets five wishes, and one of them leads to unforeseen consequences. The One Wish Willow takes things a step farther by not letting a person reverse their wish outright.
The impact of classic horror stories has never left the medium, and the One Wish Willow proves that in the best way. By raising the stakes and playing on the classic adage “be careful what you wish for,” Obsession takes things to the next level. What has come of it is an entire community lovingly obsessing over a novelty stick.
