How 'Obsession' Uses Bokeh and Underexposure to Terrify Audiences

The low-budget horror film 'Obsession,' directed by Curry Barker and shot by Taylor Clemons, has grossed over $80 million worldwide against a $1 million budget, including $30 million over Memorial Day weekend in the U.S. The film, acquired by Focus Features, was largely shot in Barker's apartment using an Arri Alexa 35 with Panavision Ultra Speed Lenses. Clemons deliberately underexposed scenes to create a 'murky and dreadful' atmosphere, with wide-open apertures producing unsettling bokeh. He cites David Fincher's 'Seven' as inspiration but emphasizes an organic approach to lighting and composition. The film's success marks the first time in three years that a movie improved sales from its opening weekend. Clemons notes that the contrast between underexposed and brighter scenes functions as a tension-and-release cycle, a technique he did not consciously plan. The locked-tripod framing forces viewers to imagine details outside the frame, enhancing the horror. 'Obsession' is still in theaters.