A new generation of filmmakers means a new generation of artistic influences. That’s why I think the best part about this recent wave of genre films directed by former YouTubers is the fact that they borrow ideas from diverse sources that traditional creators could never think of.

A perfect example of this is Curry Barker’s smash hit Obsession, as recently released behind-the-scenes photographs reveal that one of the film’s scariest moments was achieved through practical makeup effects inspired by a popular TikTok trend that had yet to make its way over to traditional horror media.

In the film, there’s a moment where Inde Navarrette’s Nikki lurks in the dark and watches our main character sleep, with her face looking so distorted in the shadows that many fans swear that Barker used CGI to make the actress seem more “demonic.”

The truth is that Curry Barker and his Obsession team employed something known as uncanny valley makeup (hashtag #uncannyvalleymakeup) in order to make Inde Navarrette’s features look subtly inhuman from a distance.

Inde Navarrette as Nikki behind the scenes, originally posted by @DiscussingFilm on X.

Named after a term describing how objects/creatures that look almost human are often perceived as being scarier than completely inhuman figures, uncanny valley makeup was originally popularized by beauty TikToker Emilia Blarth back during Halloween of 2023.

Blarth’s attempts at making herself look less than human immediately went viral as other creators tried to perfect the makeup style where you make your mouth and pupils look larger while softening up other features in order to give the impression of a lifeless, mannequin-like face.

This budget-friendly approach to horror makeup was used to great effect in Obsession, with Inde Navarrette looking nearly unrecognizable after a handful of eerie alterations to her face, and it’s precisely this kind of out-of-the-box thinking that makes us excited to see what Curry Barker has in store for genre fans in his future projects.

Key makeup artist Kate Oja also shared additional images of Nikki’s uncanny valley makeup design on Instagram.

 

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The post Freaky Nikki’s Terrifying Look in ‘Obsession’ Was a Practical Effect Inspired By a TikTok Trend appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

We have an exclusive first look at A Man in the Woods With an Axe, a blood-soaked, genre-twisting homage to 1980s slasher films.

Spanning four decades, A Man in the Woods With an Axe begins in the summer of 1987 before pushing into the modern era, weaving together timelines and perspectives in a way that builds both dread and intrigue.

Drawing inspiration from genre standouts like Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, Hatchet, and The Cabin in the Woods, the film blends visceral horror with moments of dark humor, creating a uniquely balanced experience that honors tradition while carving its own identity.

Writer-director Dillon Brown (Primal Darkness) aims to deliver everything fans crave from a slasher while boldly subverting expectations with a mid-film twist that redefines the story.

“This is an unapologetic love letter to the films that made me fall in love with horror,” Brown tells Bloody Disgusting. “But I didn’t just want to recreate that feeling; I wanted to challenge it. About halfway through, the film takes a turn that completely changes how you view not only this story, but the genre itself.”

Brown describes the vintage-inspired production as “far and away the bloodiest film I’ve ever made,” with practical effects helmed by Cody Ruch (The Mill, Pig Hill), an instructor at Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects Program.

From Horror Dadz Productions, A Man in the Woods With an Axe is currently in production and targeting an early 2027 release.

The post ‘A Man in the Woods With an Axe’ – First Look at ’80s Throwback Slasher [Exclusive] appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.