Everyone is obsessed with Michael Johnston.
The breakout star from the hit horror film Obsession is enjoying every second of the movie's success as it's broken numerous records. As Focus Features' highest-grossing movie ever with over $220 million earned worldwide, Obsession has quickly shot Johnston to superstardom.
The picture is also notable for its 26-year-old director, Curry Barker, whose age, YouTube roots, and ability to connect with a Gen Z audience are making Hollywood power players rethink its traditional model.
How else did Obsession break the mold? Its leading man. Although audiences were overwhelmed with Johnston's captivating performance as a straight guy who wishes to be loved by his deadly girl crush, LGBTQ+ fans fell in love with Johnston even more once they realized he's a gay man.
This isn't a complete shock to OG fans as Johnston came out in early 2023 and even played Corey Bryant, a recurring gay character in the final two seasons of Teen Wolf, from 2015 to 2017.
"I'm so proud of who I am. I've been out, I wouldn't say loudly, but it's just part of who I am. It's such an honor to be able to live my life, be who I am, and hear what an incredible difference it makes. I got hundreds and even thousands of messages from people saying, 'Thank you for just being who you are,'" Johnston tells Out.
While Johnston has already added diverse queer and straight roles to his acting résumé so far, the star exclusively reveals that he's ready to tackle a powerful gay role as one of his next big projects.
"I'm honored to now have all of these doors opening for me and to actually have a choice in what I do next. It's a dream come true! Growing up, I always want to see more representation on TV, and I never thought that that would be me. I'm really looking forward to getting to tell a really good queer story in the future. That is something I'm really looking forward to."
It's no surprise that Johnston's phone is ringing off the hook as his acting skills are on full display in Obsession. Without giving away too many spoilers, his character, Bear, embarks on one of the most shocking and twisting storylines seen in modern horror, as the girl of his dreams, Nicki (an incredible Inde Navarrette), quickly turns into the girl of his nightmares. But Bear is no saint, and his love-wish brings up timely themes of consent that are equally unsettling.
"It was really important for me, when playing Bear, to not judge him for any of the terrible decisions that he was making. I had to find a way to justify all of those decisions. We pulled it off on a shoestring budget! I'm so fulfilled creatively and I'm so happy that this film is resonating with audiences everywhere."
Fans are flocking to the movie theaters more than ever this year and horror is proving to be one of the most successful genres. As cinema hits a new peak in 2026, Johnston hopes more creative and crucial stories for queer people can be told.
"We need more movies that get people talking about relevant social topics. That's what the movies are all about! We need to keep making noise, not just during Pride Month, but every month. We're still here and we deserve to be treated the same way everyone else is treated."
Obsession is playing in theaters now. To see the full interview with Michael Johnston, check out the video at the top of the page.
