When people talk about Obsession, the spotlight naturally finds Curry Barker. He's the writer-director whose breakout horror film turned into one of the year's biggest success stories. But films, especially independent films, aren't made by one person. They're built by crews willing to wear multiple hats, solve problems on the fly, and do whatever needs doing to keep the day moving. That's where Jeffrey Barker came in.
As the film's Key PA, Jeffrey found himself in the middle of the controlled chaos that makes independent filmmaking possible. And like many people who find their way into the film industry, the journey wasn't necessarily planned.
Growing up alongside Curry and Riley Barker, creativity was always part of the household. Long before red carpets, TIFF screenings, and box office milestones, the brothers were making videos together. Jeffrey recalls those early days fondly, explaining that he, Curry, and Riley "would make little videos for YouTube and stuff," including projects for Curry's early channel, Popcorn Culture. At some point, Jeffrey drifted into his own pursuits while Curry continued chasing filmmaking full-time. Then one day he got a call.
"Curry's, you know, calling me and he's like, 'Hey man, this is about to go down. I really want you to be a part of it.' And of course I was like, 'Yeah, I'll be there.'" What followed was a crash course in filmmaking.
Like many first-time crew members, Jeffrey arrived on set without fully understanding what the job would entail. The title sounded straightforward. The reality was anything but. As he quickly learned, being a PA on an indie production often means becoming whatever the production needs in that moment.
One day it was making sure communication systems were working and that crafty was stocked. The next day it was driving trucks, picking up equipment, handling logistics, coordinating crew communication, or helping keep production running smoothly. Jeffrey laughed when describing it, admitting he "really didn't know how many jobs" he'd end up performing and that "every day could be something totally different." That's ultimately what made the experience so exciting. "You just really did not know what to expect each day you went in," he said. It also gave him an appreciation for the difference between independent productions and larger studio projects.
After Obsession, Jeffrey had the chance to visit the set of Anything But Ghosts and immediately noticed how dramatically things change when a budget grows. On Obsession, a small group of PAs often handled countless responsibilities. Visiting Anything But Ghosts, he was suddenly surrounded by departments filled with people whose jobs were highly specialized. The experience reinforced just how much everyone on an indie film is asked to contribute. "You have to be prepared to do whatever it is that you might do that day," he explained, describing the mindset required to survive a production like Obsession.
Of course, stepping onto a film set for the first time wasn't without its challenges. Jeffrey admitted the first week was overwhelming. The terminology was unfamiliar. The pace was relentless. Everyone around him seemed to know exactly what they were doing while he was trying to absorb an entirely new world.
"It was a bit overwhelming at first," he said, recalling those opening days. But once he pushed through the initial learning curve, things started to click. He settled into his role, understood what was expected of him, and began to enjoy the process. Before long, the stress that came from not knowing what was happening was replaced by the normal pressures that come with making a movie. One thing that clearly made the experience easier was the people around him.
It's easy to assume working with family could create added pressure, especially when your brother is directing a film that everyone hopes will succeed. Jeffrey doesn't see it that way at all. In fact, when asked whether working with family was a blessing or a curse, he immediately rejected the latter.
"I don't think there was any kind of curse to it at all," he said. Instead, he described an environment where everyone genuinely supported one another. His brothers knew it was his first major set. He never felt uncomfortable asking questions, and the crew itself helped create an atmosphere where everyone was pulling in the same direction. According to Jeffrey, "everybody felt like they were making something that was going to be really important." Looking back now, that confidence feels justified.
There were several moments where Jeffrey realized Obsession might be something special. Finishing production was one of them. The wrap party carried a sense of accomplishment that everyone seemed to share. Then came TIFF. Watching the film with a packed audience changed everything.
Jeffrey still lights up talking about hearing reactions throughout the screening. The applause, the gasps, the audience engagement. It was the first time he fully experienced the movie as a viewer instead of a crew member.
"It just blew my mind," he said. "It's just an unreal kind of thing." And like every crew member who has ever sat through a finished film, there was one moment that hit particularly hard: seeing his own name appear in the credits. "You feel very accomplished." That pride is well deserved. While Obsession may have introduced some audiences to Jeffrey Barker, it doesn't sound like it'll be the last time people see his name attached to a film.
When discussing the future, Jeffrey's ambitions become clear. Producing is where he sees himself heading. Not because he wants attention or recognition, but because he loves helping bring projects to life.
"I really want to become a producer," he told us. Even more specifically, he dreams of building films alongside his brothers, with Curry directing, Riley shooting, and Jeffrey helping steer productions from the producer's chair. "That's my end goal," he said, "and the goal I would like to keep doing multiple times throughout my life."
If upcoming projects materialize, it sounds like he'll continue to be a familiar face around Barker productions. Jeffrey did not work on Anything But Ghosts because it was shooting in Canada, but he spent time visiting the set and taking in the experience. As for future collaborations, his answer couldn't have been more straightforward. "Anything that he needs me for, I'm there."
What stood out most during our conversation wasn't Jeffrey's film knowledge or even his ambition. It was his humility. Despite being part of one of the most talked-about indie success stories in recent memory, he remains remarkably grounded.
He describes himself as a "pretty simple person" who takes life as it comes, but there's also a quiet excitement when he talks about filmmaking, especially horror. Like the rest of his family, he's drawn to psychological horror and the kinds of stories that stick with audiences. That's the kind of filmmaking he hopes to help create one day.
For now, Jeffrey Barker is still writing the next chapter of his story. But after helping bring Obsession to life and watching it connect with audiences around the world, it's clear he's found something he genuinely loves. And if the future goes according to plan, he won't just be helping his brothers make movies. He'll be producing them.
Jessie Hobson