Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston Reunite at Colman Domingo’s Pre-Gala Dinner

This year, few film partnerships have captivated audiences quite like that of Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston. Their horror film ‘Obsession’ has emerged as one of 2026’s biggest surprises, leaving fans eager for any glimpse of the two stars together again. This week, their reunion took place at a glamorous Hollywood dinner.

The duo was spotted at the pre-Academy Museum Gala dinner hosted by Colman Domingo. Set in a stylish, dimly lit restaurant, the photos capture the two friends laughing and enjoying each other’s company throughout the evening.

In the snapshots, Navarrette sports a chic black coat with fur trim and dark-rimmed glasses, beaming as she holds up a copy of W Magazine featuring her on the cover. Johnston, seated at a nearby table in a light blue shirt, appears to be engaged in conversation, with plates of food in front of him. The atmosphere was warm, relaxed, and a bit playful.

This dinner preceded the sixth annual Academy Museum Gala, which took place on October 17 in Los Angeles, where Domingo was honored alongside Charlize Theron and filmmaker John Carpenter. The event has become a star-studded fundraiser, often compared to the Met Gala.

Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston reunited at the pre-Academy Museum Gala dinner hosted by Colman Domingo. 📷 https://t.co/nzaXAHxTeE

— Film Crave (@_filmcrave) October 17, 2026

The significance of this reunion stems from the film that brought them together. ‘Obsession’, directed by Curry Barker, premiered in theaters on May 15 and quickly became a phenomenon. The story follows Bear, played by Johnston, a lovesick young man who breaks a mysterious One Wish Willow to make his crush, Nikki, portrayed by Navarrette, love him above all else.

This monkey’s paw-style horror film was produced on a modest budget of $750,000 and went on to gross over $400 million worldwide, as reported by Fangoria. This achievement made it Focus Features’ highest-grossing film ever and one of the year’s biggest hits, later streaming on Peacock starting July 17.

Navarrette is at the center of much of the buzz surrounding the film. It marked her first venture into horror, and critics have praised her performance as a standout, noting that she elevates the narrative. Additionally, she performed her own stunts, further solidifying her status as a rising star.

Her moment in the spotlight is now extending into the fashion realm. Navarrette graces the cover of W Magazine’s ‘The New Originals’ issue for October 2026, showcasing pieces from Dior Haute Couture, Marc Jacobs, and Bottega Veneta in a photoshoot that contrasts her typical red-carpet looks. The cover she held up at the dinner explains the playful energy captured in the photos.

Navarrette’s career is set to soar even higher as she is reportedly cast to play Rogue in Marvel’s X-Men reboot. She has been preparing by studying the character and working on a Mississippi accent. Other reported cast members include Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Christopher Abbott as Charles Xavier, and Adam Driver as Mister Sinister.

Johnston, known for his role as Corey Bryant on ‘Teen Wolf’, has also seen his profile rise significantly due to the film’s success. The natural chemistry between him and Navarrette has been widely praised, which likely explains fans’ excitement to see them together off-screen.

The success of ‘Obsession’ has also propelled Barker into a new phase of his career. This film was only his second feature, following his 2024 debut ‘Milk & Serial’, which he made for $800 and released for free on YouTube. He is now set to direct a new ‘Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ movie for A24, along with a Blumhouse project titled ‘Anything But Ghosts’.

For both stars, the momentum shows no signs of slowing down. The film has earned four Chainsaw Awards nominations, including Best Wide Release, Best Lead Performance, Best Screenplay, and Best Director.

The gala itself attracts major names, with a host committee that includes Questlove, Judd Apatow, Teyana Taylor, Ludwig Göransson, Seth Rogen, and Demi Moore. Co-chairs include Steven Spielberg, Kate Capshaw, and Robert Rodriguez, with last year’s event raising over $12 million for the museum.

In this context, a casual dinner photo may seem small, but it holds significant meaning for fans. It captures the two leads of a horror phenomenon joyfully reuniting among Hollywood’s elite, a fitting reward for such a breakout year.

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