Fresh off the breakout success of Obsession, filmmaker Curry Barker is already turning heads with Anything But Ghosts, a new horror project backed by Focus Features and Blumhouse Atomic Monster. The upcoming film sounds ambitious, chaotic, and deeply personal for Barker, who not only wrote and directed Anything But Ghosts but also stars as its lead.
Speaking during Deadline’s TIFF DGA panel, Barker offered a revealing glimpse into the demanding production process behind the film. With a lengthy script, a compressed shooting schedule, and the pressure of leading both behind and in front of the camera, Anything But Ghosts is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched horror titles in development.
Why Anything But Ghosts Is Already Generating Buzz
There are several reasons horror fans and industry watchers are paying attention to Anything But Ghosts. First, it follows Barker’s surprise hit Obsession, which reportedly reached half a billion dollars globally and built a cross-generational audience. Second, Barker has positioned the new movie within the same universe as his previous breakout, giving fans another reason to stay invested.
The premise also stands out. Rather than a traditional haunted-house setup, Anything But Ghosts centers on ghost hunters who are essentially frauds, or hucksters. That concept opens the door for horror, satire, and character-driven tension all at once. It suggests a film that may play with genre expectations while still delivering the dread audiences expect from a Blumhouse-associated release.
A brutal production schedule
Barker described the experience of making Anything But Ghosts in blunt terms. According to the filmmaker, the production worked from a 130-page script and had only 26 days to shoot it. For any film, that is a tight schedule. For a horror movie with performance demands, technical setups, and a director also acting in the lead role, it becomes even more intense.
- 130-page screenplay
- 26-day shoot
- Barker directing and starring
- Limited time for coverage and alternate shots
He admitted that shots were being compromised and coverage was often dropped just to keep production moving. That kind of pressure can be risky, but it can also create the kind of raw energy that horror films sometimes thrive on.
Curry Barker’s Creative Approach to Horror
Barker’s comments also shed light on why his work has connected with audiences. With Obsession, he explored a deceptively simple but unsettling idea: the human tendency to fixate on love, desire, and emotional control. He transformed that psychological impulse into horror by asking what happens when a wish for love goes terribly wrong.
Rather than leaning into exaggerated possession tropes, Barker focused on emotional realism. He has said that the key was treating the character not as a monster first, but as a recognizably jealous romantic partner. That grounded approach appears to be part of what made Obsession resonate with viewers of different ages.
If that same instinct carries into Anything But Ghosts, audiences can likely expect a horror film that is less about easy jump scares and more about uncomfortable, human behavior under pressure. The title may sound playful, but the filmmaking philosophy behind it appears serious and character-focused.
Influence from Zach Cregger
Barker also revealed that Zach Cregger advised him to cut about 30 pages from the screenplay. Even Barker’s manager reportedly gave similar advice. But the filmmaker chose to keep every page, determined to shoot the full script despite the obvious production strain.
That decision says a lot about his instincts as an auteur. It suggests Barker is willing to embrace logistical hardship in order to protect the shape and scope of the story he wants to tell. Whether that gamble pays off will be one of the biggest questions surrounding Anything But Ghosts as it moves toward release.
Cast, Shared Universe, and What We Know So Far
Beyond Barker, Anything But Ghosts includes a notable supporting lineup. Aaron Paul and Bryce Dallas Howard are attached to co-star, adding immediate visibility and prestige to the project. Barker is also joined by longtime collaborator Cooper Tomlinson, who previously appeared in Obsession.
Key details confirmed so far include:
- The film was written by Curry Barker.
- It is set in the same universe as Obsession.
- The story follows fake ghost hunters.
- Aaron Paul, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Cooper Tomlinson co-star.
- No official release date has been announced yet.
The shared-universe detail is especially intriguing. Horror fans have become increasingly invested in interconnected storytelling, but Barker’s world-building appears to be rooted more in thematic continuity than franchise spectacle. That could help Anything But Ghosts feel distinct while still rewarding fans of his earlier work.
What Anything But Ghosts Could Mean for Modern Horror
The horror genre has become a proving ground for emerging filmmakers who can combine strong concepts with efficient execution. Barker fits that mold, but his rise also reflects a broader trend: audiences are hungry for horror stories built around emotional discomfort, moral ambiguity, and recognizable human relationships.
If Anything But Ghosts successfully balances dark humor, supernatural genre elements, and Barker’s interest in flawed people, it could further cement him as one of the more interesting young horror voices to watch. The production may have been grueling, but the ambition behind it is clear.
For now, the film remains in that compelling pre-release stage where every new detail adds to the anticipation. With Blumhouse involvement, recognizable stars, and Barker’s growing reputation, Anything But Ghosts is already positioned as a title that genre fans will want on their radar.
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Final takeaway on Anything But Ghosts
From its demanding shoot to its intriguing fake-ghost-hunter premise, Anything But Ghosts already sounds like a defining next step for Curry Barker. If the filmmaker can channel the same emotional intensity and audience connection that powered Obsession, Anything But Ghosts could become one of the most talked-about horror releases on the horizon.
