Obsession inspires hope.
Curry Baker’s Obsession has been in theaters for a few weeks now and has created a buzz as if it were a Marvel film. Baker made this film with a modest $750K and has racked up $100 million domestically. Impressive feat for not one but two films in the same release window. Kane Parson’s Backrooms release also had an impact on the domestic box office by earning around $80 million in its first three days.
They accomplished these impressive feats in two different ways: Backrooms was greenlit by A24, bringing in Parson (creator of the Backrooms creepypasta) as director. At the same time, Obsession was made independently without studio backing and later sparked a bidding war among distribution companies. Both are horror films that use metaphors—such as reflections on relationships and unresolved trauma or memories. Importantly, both directors leveraged online platforms like YouTube and Instagram to showcase their work and build their audiences.
The relevance of these achievements is significant for all filmmakers aiming to showcase their work. At 19 ENT, we have a similar goal. Last summer, we independently produced a TV pilot titled Street Food. The episode is scheduled to premiere at the Chicano Film Festival in Downtown Pomona. The key takeaway is one of motivation. The film industry presents promising opportunities for independent filmmakers. Showcase your work because someone will watch. As John Cena says, “The time is now!” Ride that pendulum and create! Produce. Post. Promote!
By Carlos Valencia
June 7 2026
*Street Food Synopsis: Milo Minerva, a disgraced TV chef whose career collapses after a
drunken no-show, leaves him broke and irrelevant. Struggling to stay visible, he launches a
scrappy online comeback with the help of savvy content creators and a street-smart sex worker.