Dead Rabbit Radio The Daily Paranormal Podcast

Curry Barker, Demonic Slave?: Has Hollywood's Hottest New Director Sold His Soul To The Devil?

June 25, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Curry Barker, the 26-year-old director of the horror film Obsession, has become Hollywood's unlikeliest juggernaut. Shot for $750,000, the movie sold to Focus Features for $14 million and has since grossed around $250 million at the box office. It is the only film since E.T. in 1982 to make more money in its second and third weeks than in its first. The numbers are so anomalous that even a fan of Barker's work has to ask: is this just a breakout hit, or is something darker at play?

The Unprecedented Success of Obsession

The film Obsession was made for a tiny budget and purchased at a film festival for $14 million. Since its release, it has become the highest-grossing film ever purchased at a festival and the most profitable release in Focus Features' history. At the time of recording, it had earned roughly $250 million at the box office. The trajectory is what raises eyebrows: Obsession is the only film since E.T. in 1982 to make more money in its second and third weeks than in its first. This kind of "legs" is almost unheard of in the modern blockbuster era, where audiences are typically front-loaded. The host, Jason, is a fan of Barker's work and recommends the film, but he admits the numbers feel "mystical." The movie is good, he says, but is it better than The Matrix or Terminator 2? No. The success feels disproportionate to the product.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **Episode Intro & Host Rant** - Jason complains about raising three kittens and introduces the episode's topics: cats, demonic dogs, and Curry Barker's suspicious success.
2 (04:20) **Correction: Epstein Files & Political Rant** - Jason corrects a previous claim about the Epstein Files being unsearchable, then rants about bipartisan politics and systemic corruption.
3 (14:08) **Transition to Hollywood & Curry Barker Intro** - Jason pitches a ridiculous Marvel/Star Wars crossover before introducing Curry Barker's meteoric rise.
4 (20:30) **Curry Barker's Meteoric Rise** - Jason details how the 26-year-old filmmaker went from shorts to a record-breaking $250M box office hit.
5 (23:03) **The "Dark Intervention" Question** - Jason asks if Barker's unprecedented success could involve a demonic deal, either intentional or accidental.
6 (29:16) **The "Tony" Dream: Can You Sell Your Soul by Accident?** - Jason tells a listener's story about a musician named Tony who received a demonic melody in a dream, illustrating how accidental deals might work.
7 (51:30) **The Trap: How Accidental Deals Are Made** - Jason explains the theory that demons give a "free taste" of success, then demand a contract when the person is at their peak and fears losing everything.