Inde Navarrette Discusses Her Role in ‘Obsession’ on the Latest VESTAL Cover
Inde Navarrette recently shared insights about her intense role in the psychological horror film ‘Obsession’ during an interview and photoshoot with VESTAL magazine.
The discussion occurred shortly after filming, with Navarrette connecting over Zoom from her home. In ‘Obsession’, she portrays Nikki, a woman who gradually loses control of her emotions and reality as she descends into a dangerous psychological spiral. The interview describes the role as intentionally uncomfortable, showcasing Navarrette’s commitment to expressing raw and painful emotions without softening them for viewers.
Directed by Curry Barker, the film follows Nikki through various emotional stages that become increasingly unstable. Beginning with hope and love, her character transitions into confusion and desperation, ultimately spiraling into a violent emotional breakdown. The performance aims to feel real and unsettling rather than polished or controlled.
Navarrette emphasized that her approach to the role centered on honesty instead of performance tricks. She stated, “I didn’t want Nikki to feel like a character. I wanted her to feel like a human, somebody you could actually meet in real life. So I tapped into ugly feelings that I think everyone naturally has, and I wanted to humanize them in this hyperbolic state. I leaned into jealousy, loneliness, and ultimately that deep desire to be loved, to be seen, to be taken care of and wanted by Bear. So yeah, I tapped into a lot of ugly emotions and it actually felt very freeing.”
She elaborated on the significance of this emotional exploration, noting how delving into uncomfortable feelings on set allowed her to connect more deeply with the role, particularly since such emotions are often concealed in everyday life. She remarked, “I think it felt freeing because there are so many emotions people don’t talk about since they carry a lot of shame. Being in a room full of people portraying those feelings, and having them praised as good performance was really powerful.”
During the interview, Navarrette discussed how Nikki’s emotional journey unfolds, particularly as her relationships evolve and she feels increasingly rejected. She explained that the character’s breakdown stems from a growing question of why she is not receiving the love she expects, which gradually leads her into instability.
She characterized the character’s emotional transition as a continuous flow rather than distinct stages. She stated, “So for me, it became about asking: if he keeps doing this, where does it take her next? Each moment pushes her further. It felt like one giant arc, one continuous climax.”
The interview also covered the filming process, which was shot out of order. Navarrette mentioned that many intense scenes were filmed early, which helped her acclimate to the role more quickly. She described the experience as pushing her out of her comfort zone right from the start, which built her confidence as filming progressed.
She likened the experience to being fully immersed in a performance rhythm, feeling completely in sync with the process as production continued.
A quirky detail from the interview was the presence of a red cat on set, which frequently interrupted filming and even Navarrette’s responses. The cat often perched on her shoulder, adding an unusual and almost surreal element to the discussion. These moments contributed to the strange atmosphere surrounding the film.
The VESTAL feature also showcased a full photoshoot with Navarrette, styled in various designer outfits. The shoot visually captures the contrast discussed in the interview, blending elegance with darker emotional themes that align with the tone of ‘Obsession’.
Navarrette further elaborated on the film’s central theme of control and the emotional loss of agency. She noted that the story reflects real pressures, particularly regarding identity, expectations, and relationships. She expressed, “There are so many expectations about what we’re allowed to be, what we’re allowed to consent to, how we’re supposed to behave in order to be seen as classy or professional or graceful or worthy of love and respect.”
At the conclusion of the interview, she reflected on the distinction between love and unhealthy attachment, stating, “I think passion isn’t selfish. Obsession is.” She clarified that obsession tends to be self-centered, while passion allows space for another person to exist freely.
The VESTAL magazine feature beautifully combines a fashion photoshoot with an in-depth conversation about her role in ‘Obsession’, showcasing both the artistic and emotional dimensions of her performance.
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