There’s something About Inde

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Inde Navarrette on becoming Nikki in Curry Barker’s Obsession, the horror of devotion gone wrong, and why sometimes the only rule of wishing is not to wish at all.

Words by Dio Anthony, Photography by Oscar Flores Styling by Brendan Ruiz Hair by Aurelien Bru Makeup by Ruby Vo

I It’s a little past 4pm on Monday, May 11th, and 25-year-old Inde Navarrette is in a car headed to the location where she’s set to prepare for the premiere of her latest film, Curry Barker’s Obsession. It seems like just another day in LA, but in just under 10 days, it will seem like everyone knows her name.

Her star-making role as Nikki in what critics are hailing as one of the year’s most acclaimed films would warrant such a response. For Inde, life continues to move, with her feet on the ground and her mind where it matters. Alongside her family and her friends, and quite honestly, basking in this moment that feels like a long time coming. All the while not losing sight of the work and efforts that came before. On the phone, Inde is kind, light, and engaged. She comes off as genuine and excited, well-spoken and thoughtful. The makings of a person who is surrendering to what is meant for her.

After a few weeks of press and speaking to a trove of people, I'm in awe of the work she’s done and the energy she sustains through it all. We take some time to reflect on the themes in the film as well as those that color her real life.

American Studies: I know you're on the move today, but I think it'll actually just make it a bit funner this way. I figured we could have an open conversation about this time of your life and how all this has felt for you. I mean, your premiere’s today, and I'm sure you're full of all the feelings. How has the past week been?

Inde Navarrette: Oh my God. It's been unlike anything I've ever felt beforehand. I think, obviously, with this territory, that is unknown to me–you don't really know how to feel. But I've had a really good support system. It's been great because they can bring you back down. They can also make it so much more fun. When everything feels unknown, and you don’t know how to take it or where to go, I think it’s important to remind yourself that you’ve worked really hard for this. The reception the film has been getting has been out of this world, and I just really want to focus on that, on my family and friends, and be proud of all of it.

American Studies: This feels like one of those roles where–as an actor, it can switch gears in terms of what you see yourself doing. Has this experience changed the things you’d look to next?

Inde Navarrette: I think that's a really good question. I think, in all honesty, I had never been a part of a horror movie before, and so I think it really opened up my eyes to how much fun it is. I think I would do horror for the rest of my life.

American Studies: The community would gladly welcome you as a reigning scream queen. I think one of the best parts of this film–and there are many, is the grounded element to the story–and our ability to relate. What’s your personal idea of a horror story? What comes to mind when I say that?

“I would do horror for the rest of my life.”

— Inde Navarrette

Inde Navarrette: Oh my God. Well, I think what comes to mind are the first horror movies that I'd ever seen–Chucky and Rob Zombie films. I think that those are very specific slashers. I think Rob Zombie's really phenomenal at pushing this boundary that filmmakers that have followed after have continued to do– including Curry Barker.

Those were the first films that I was introduced to. But I think nowadays what kind of comes to play, is how psychological it's getting and how elevated it's gotten. With Ari Aster, and Midsommar, and his first film, Hereditary, which we watched in preparation for this Obsession to get that grounded tone. And I was terrified of it. It was genuinely one of the scariest movies I've ever seen in my life.

American Studies :That's so funny. Well, not funny, but I totally get that sentiment. In Obsession, we have this tug of war of love versus possession. At what point do you feel like devotion becomes scary?

Inde Navarrette: I think that this movie really tackles this idea of– where does your intention come from? Because I think devotion in and of itself is such a beautiful thing, to be committed to something. You can be devoted to your religion. You can be devoted to your husband, your wife, your kids, your job, your morals, your values.

But of course, that intention really changes where it comes from. And I think that's why this film means a lot and kind of draws that comparison between obsession, possession, and love, because the intention isn't pure. It's kind of forced. It doesn't allow time, and it doesn't allow safety, and all of these aspects that kind of turn it into love. So I think if you have; an intention of devotion that's a little bit selfish. And a little bit of, “What can I get from you?” And if I give, give, give, and I'm only focused on what I can get in return; therefore, what I'm giving isn't real. I think that can be pretty horrific.

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American Studies: Gosh that's such a great answer. I love that answer. Another thing which I feel like I'm sure you've heard so many times in the last few days is how impressive your performance was.

Inde Navarrette: Thank you.

“Devotion in and of itself is such a beautiful thing.”

— Inde Navarrette

American Studies: I'm wondering, what was the most taxing part for you? Originally I wanted to ask you something else—which I then deemed to be a silly question. Which was, if at any point did any of this feel real?

Inde Navarrette: Actually, I don't think that's a silly question at all. I think that's a great question because I think when you're tackling things that are a part of day-to-day life, it can feel real. And also, sometimes– I think Timothée Chalamet talks about this in Beautiful Boy, where he plays an addict. You know–the body doesn't know that you're acting. And so when terrified, or when you're feeling a lot of these really intense emotions, sometimes your body's like, “Are we in survival mode? Are we being attacked right now? Are we being chased? Are we being hunted? What is going on?”

It takes a really good support system and a really good system put in place to bring yourself down. There were so many times where it did feel real, but it was about reminding yourself that it's not. And then also, we had a really good time on set, making things light. But of course, when you're dealing with matters like this, moments would feel real. So I don't think that's a silly question at all.

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American Studies: I appreciate that. Thank you. I'm glad I asked. My natural follow up to that is– what was the most taxing part? Because for you specifically, it's such physical work too. What scene required you to break for a little longer than usual?

Inde Navarrette: To give context to this answer, I have to say that we shot everything inside of the house first. If you've seen the film, you'll see that a lot of the high-stakes moments in the film happen inside the house. So I think, with that context, knowing that all of that was shot first, what was taxing for me was me having to do all of that right out the gate.

American Studies: Wow, absolutely.

Inde Navarrette: Really hitting the ground running. But we had a lot of preparation, and there were a lot of moments where I didn't show Curry what I was going to do, just because I felt like it was too vulnerable and that I couldn't really play the honesty behind it if people had already seen it. Because I was quite shy. I mean, I'm doing a lot of things that I've never done before, and I really wanted to do them justice. And I knew in order to do that, I had to be a little bit secretive.

But I think what was taxing about it at first, was doing all of them over and over again. But that eventually became super easy, you know what I mean? You do something that you've never done before, you have it so well received and witnessed, and then you kind of just build confidence off of that.

After that, it just became about building my confidence because I knew that I could do it. Curry would even say that he’d take a really big, deep breath after he’d see me do things for the first time, because then he knew. He knew he picked someone who could do this. [laugh]. It was smooth, smooth sailing after that.

American Studies: That's so great. I think this may be an observation more than a question. I really did love how the role completely shifted. We first hear of Nikki, and it’s like who is she, exactly? Off the bat, it's clear she’s a cool girl. She’s friendly and inviting, and then you see what happens and you’re like–why did he do this to her?

Inde Navarrette: [laughs].

American Studies: We only get glimpses of who she is before. The type of girl she is. What did you think about when building this pre-wish Nikki. It felt like I knew her. that

Inde Navarrette: Since we shot everything that was in the house first— It was one of those things where after I played, Act Two and Act Three Nikki, it was actually really strange to be normal. But I think what was so cool about that was I had spent so much time with the before Nikki, before we started filming, and understanding who she was.

When I played Act Two and Act Three Nikki — or “Wish Nikki,” per se — I felt like the reason she’s able to fight against the wish and come out in such a horrific way is because of her tenacity and strength, which we only get to see for a short amount of time.

But in the beginning, she’s so kind and so sweet. I really wanted her to feel real in both aspects — and like someone you could actually be friends with. I also love how much she cares about Bear.

“I knew in order to do that, I had to be a little bit secretive.”

— Inde Navarrette

American Studies: Me too. I was particularly really touched by that and it's very clear early on.

Inde Navarrette: In the beginning of the film, she keeps coming back to him, like, “Oh, sorry, you were saying something.” She’s really attentive, really caring, really kind.

And that kind of goes back to what you were saying — why would you do that? It came out of desperation. He didn’t know what was going to happen. Like the tagline–be careful what you wish for.

“I really wanted her to feel real in both aspects — and like someone you could actually be friends with.”

— Inde Navarrette

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American Studies: So exciting. I truly can't wait to watch it again. Speaking of a wish, is there a personal rule that you think should be followed or never broken when making a wish like this. I kept thinking–why didn't he wish for her to fulfill her career, for her dreams to come true, you know?

Inde Navarrette: You know, it's what The Pussycat Dolls say: “Be careful what you wish for, ’cause you just might get it.” That's one of my favorite songs. “When I Grow Up” by the Pussycat Dolls.

American Studies: A Perfect song.

Inde Navarrette: You know, I was going to say– be selfish with your wishes, but that is kind of what Bear is doing. So maybe, just don’t wish.

American Studies: [Laughs] Maybe don’t wish–that’s fair.

Inde Navarrette: Yeah, maybe don’t wish.

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American Studies: Maybe just dream? Nikki aside, what are you currently obsessed with right now in your actual life?

Inde Navarrette: Oh, that's such a good question. Honestly, okay. This might seem—no, I'm not gonna say that. I was going to say salmon bowls, because I'm really obsessed with cooking right now. I'm really trying to perfect this really good salmon rice bowl, but I feel like I've done a good enough job at it that I can move on to other obsessions of mine.

American Studies: That’s a good obsession.

Inde Navarrette: Honestly, yeah–cooking. I really love cooking right now.

American Studies: I think that's the end-all obsession. You can fill other people's cups with your cooking too.

Inde Navarrette: Exactly! We gotta fill other people's bellies.

American Studies: My last question for you— is there a piece of advice that you've been given that you always find yourself returning to?

Inde Navarrette: Hmm. Do things that you want to do and that you love. And people don't have to understand it at first, but as long as you understand it. I know that's not exactly a fully formed thought.

American Studies:I think it's in there. It’s honest. Be brave with your life, is what I like to say. The kind of advice Bear could have used.