Curry Barker is back on YouTube with Mama Bear, a new five-minute horror short released just in time for Halloween.
The filmmaker behind this year’s breakout hit Obsession wrote, directed, and edited the short, which is now available to watch on the That’s a Bad Idea YouTube channel.
Sponsored by Windows, Mama Bear follows Floyd (Jon Lee Richardson), whose attempt to take a nap is interrupted by a series of disturbing phone calls. The situation takes a more unsettling turn when Floyd discovers that another version of himself may be nearby. Katie Sarife plays Lacey, Ericka Kreuz appears as Ms. Wilson, and Joshua Snyder plays Floyd’s doppelgänger.
The short also reunites Barker with members of his Obsession crew, including production designer Vivian Gray and costume designer Blair James. The connection is particularly noticeable in the film’s visual approach, which includes a shadowy figure lurking in a corner that recalls a memorable moment from Obsession.
James told The Hollywood Reporter that the production came together on a remarkably short schedule. The team filmed the short just three and a half weeks before its release. She also spoke about enjoying the variety of working on projects of different lengths, from quick styling jobs and shorts to feature films. “I love a short film. I love to give my all for two weeks and then it’s done. It’s a rush,” James said.
The release brings Curry Barker back to the kind of short-form horror that helped establish his filmmaking career. Before Obsession made the jump to theaters, he built an audience through YouTube projects including Heavy Eyes, Enigma, Warnings, The Chair, and Milk & Serial. The latter projects helped draw industry attention, with The Chair playing a part in connecting Barker with producer James Harris.
Obsession went on to become an extraordinary box-office success. Made on a reported $750,000 budget, the film has grossed approximately $519 million worldwide. It also received a Gotham Audience Award nomination, adding awards-season attention to an already remarkable run.
Barker isn’t slowing down. His next feature, Anything But Ghosts, is scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 7, 2027, from Focus Features. Barker co-wrote the film with longtime collaborator Cooper Tomlinson, and the two also star as wannabe ghost hunters who find themselves in over their heads. The cast includes Bryce Dallas Howard, Aaron Paul, Violet McGraw, and Chris Reinacher. Barker is also attached to write and direct a new reimagining of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
For now, Mama Bear offers a chance to see Barker return to the short horror format that helped put him on the map. The film is available to watch for free on the That’s a Bad Idea YouTube channel. Check it out below.
