IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL JOHNSTON

interview by JANA LETONJA

Rising actor Michael Johnston is stepping into the spotlight with the upcoming supernatural horror film Obsession, releasing theatrically on 15th May. The film has been praised by critics for its originality and standout performances, with Michael’s portrayal anchoring the story’s emotional core. Many audiences will recognize him from his recurring role as Corey Bryant in MTV’s hit series Teen Wolf, while his voice work spans major titles such as Tales of Zestiria and Kingdom Hearts. With Obsession, Michael takes on one of his most dynamic roles yet, bringing depth, vulnerability, and dark comedic timing to a genre-bending story.

Obsession blends supernatural horror with dark humor. What first drew you to the project?

When I first got the script, I was actually on my way out the door and only meant to read a few pages. I ended up finishing the whole thing in one sitting. I love the gray areas in this story and how it leaves it up to the audience to judge the characters. It’s full of dark, uncomfortable moments, but I didn’t fully realize how much humor was baked in until I saw how Curry Barker cut the film. He’s brilliant. That humor adds this layer of levity that doesn't take away from the scares. It makes the whole experience more unpredictable and fun.

Your character Bear accidentally unleashes a curse after making a wish. What fascinated you about playing someone caught in that kind of chaos?

It was really interesting to play a protagonist who also caused the disaster. I loved exploring the dark side of the classic “nice guy” trope. Bear seems like a good guy, and he’s at his most vulnerable when he makes that wish. Even though he realizes something is off right away, he leans into this willful blindness because he finally has the girl of his dreams. His ego won’t let him admit he’s to blame.

Horror often relies on emotional authenticity. How did you approach grounding Bear in such an unusual situation?

I think everyone can relate to the awkwardness of being “friend zoned,” but most of us know when to take the hint. Not Bear. To keep him grounded, I justified his choices by leaning into his desperation and complete limerence for Nikki. It was important for the audience to feel for him even as his choices become increasingly questionable.

The film premiered in TIFF’s Midnight Madness program, which is known for bold genre films. What was it like experiencing the premiere with that audience?

It was surreal. We followed The Substance from the previous year. Those were some massive shoes to fill. It was actually my first time seeing the movie in a theatre, and sharing that with over a thousand people was incredible. The Midnight Madness crowd was so rowdy that I could hardly hear the film over the laughs, gasps, and screams. That is a core memory for me.

Critics have highlighted your performance as a standout in the film. How did you prepare for such a layered role?

Since so much of the film is Bear reacting to the chaos around him, I didn’t want to over-rehearse. I wanted those reactions to feel raw. My prep was really about getting to know my castmates and our director. We needed to be believable as a group of friends, and luckily, we hit it off immediately. We all got together at my place to watch Hereditary to set the tone before filming, and I’ll never forget Inde Navarrette screaming and running out of the room. That’s exactly when we knew we had the right energy for this movie.

Many viewers know you from your role as Corey Bryant in Teen Wolf. How different was stepping into the world of Obsession?

It was quite different. Teen Wolf is full of monsters and mythology, but Obsession feels like a much more intimate, ominous world. It’s personal and isolated. While there’s a supernatural element to it, we don’t dwell much on the lore. It’s really about the psychological toll on Bear and how he navigates the chaos.

You’ve also done extensive voice acting for projects like Tales of Zestiria and Kingdom Hearts. How does voice work differ from on-camera acting for you?

They’re different beasts. I moved to Los Angeles to pursue voice over, so VO is really my foundation. In the booth, you have to be incredibly expressive with your body to get the right energy into the performance. When I made the jump to on-camera, I constantly got the note to “keep still,” especially with my eyebrows, because I was used to being so animated behind the mic.

That said, the vocal stamina and control I gained from VO is invaluable. Being able to convey specific emotions with a slight vocal shift is a useful skill. That helps a lot with my singing, too.

As your career continues to grow, are there particular genres or filmmakers you’re excited to work with?

I’m definitely not tied to one genre. For me, it’s always about how I connect with the character and the story. I’m especially drawn to directors who have such a clear vision that the world they build feels totally lived-in and real. I’d be thrilled to work with Greta Gerwig, Ari Aster, David Fincher, or Kane Parsons, to name a few.

Do you personally enjoy watching horror films, or does working in the genre change that experience?

Horror is my favourite genre. My father is entirely to blame, we loved watching horror movies together when I was growing up. Being part of a horror film like Obsession is exactly what I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid. I would have been first in line to see this movie at the theatres.

What do you hope audiences take away from Obsession beyond the scares?

There are plenty of socially relevant themes to dig into here, but above all, this movie is a wild roller coaster. I just want audiences to have a blast. There’s going to be a lot of popcorn on theater floors all over the world.

Looking ahead, what kinds of roles or stories are you most excited to explore next?

I’m itching to explore more villainous roles. There’s something so fascinating about finding the humanity in someone who is traditionally an antagonist. I’d also love to sink my teeth into a period piece or a role that requires heavy accent work.

TEAM CREDITS:

photography JARED TREVIÑO
photography assistant LORENA PUENTES