Obsession director Curry Barker releases short horror film 'Mama Bear' ahead of Halloween; Where can you watch it?

Horror fans looking for a quick scare before Halloween have a new film to add to their watchlist. Curry Barker, the director behind the box-office hit Obsession, has released a new horror short titled Mama Bear on YouTube. The nearly five-minute film is available to watch for free on his channel, bringing the filmmaker back to the platform where his career first took shape. The release comes just months after Obsession became a major theatrical success, turning Barker into one of the most talked-about emerging directors in horror.

Where to watch Curry Barker’s free horror film Mama Bear

Mama Bear premiered on October 29, 2026, on the YouTube channel That's A Bad Idea, which Barker runs with his longtime collaborator Cooper Tomlinson. The short follows a man named Floyd, played by Jon Lee Richardson, who is trying to get some sleep when a series of disturbing phone calls interrupts his night. The situation takes a frightening turn when he discovers that another version of himself may be nearby.

Joshua Snyder plays the mysterious double, while Katie Sarife and Ericka Kreuz appear as Lacey and Ms Wilson. Barker wrote, directed and edited the short. The project also reunited him with members of the creative team behind Obsession, including production designer Vivian Grey and costume designer Blair James. The film is sponsored by Microsoft Windows and offers viewers a quick dose of horror ahead of Halloween.

Watch: Mama Bear on YouTube

How Obsession made Curry Barker a horror sensation

Barker's latest release follows the extraordinary success of Obsession, his feature film about a young man who uses a mysterious object to make his crush fall in love with him. The wish, however, comes with disturbing consequences. Starring Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette, the film explored obsession, possessiveness and the darker side of romantic desire.

According to TheWrap, Obsession earned around $525 million worldwide despite being made for less than $1 million. The film was acquired by Focus Features after its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The success was a major turning point for Barker, who had previously made horror shorts and low-budget projects for online audiences.

From YouTube horror videos to Hollywood projects

Before Obsession, Barker built a following through short films such as The Chair, Warnings, Milk and Serial. His 2023 found-footage horror film Milk & Serial, reportedly made on a budget of just $800, also helped him attract attention online.

The Associated Press has highlighted how YouTube is becoming an important starting point for filmmakers who want to reach audiences before moving into mainstream cinema. Barker is one example of this growing trend. He is now preparing for his next feature, Anything But Ghosts, a horror-comedy co-written with Tomlinson. The film follows two con artists pretending to be paranormal investigators who encounter a real supernatural presence. Its cast includes Aaron Paul and Bryce Dallas Howard, and it is scheduled for release in May 2027.

Barker is also attached to develop a new version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre for A24. With Mama Bear, the director has returned to the format that helped launch his career, giving horror fans a free Halloween release while his next big-screen projects take shape.