Seth Rogen has already seen Curry Barker's upcoming horror movie Anything But Ghosts, and his verdict is likely to raise expectations considerably: he thinks it's even better than the director's breakout hit Obsession.
The actor and filmmaker shared his reaction in a tribute to Barker for TIME's 2026 TIME100 Next list, published on October 2, revealing that he had watched Barker's next project well ahead of its theatrical release.
Rogen recalled seeing Obsession in a packed cinema several weeks after its release. Despite the considerable hype surrounding the film, he said it exceeded his expectations, praising Barker's ability to create an experience that kept the audience reacting throughout.
But his biggest compliment was reserved for what comes next.
Rogen described Anything But Ghosts as "even better" than Obsession, before adding that Barker is just as impressive as an actor as he is behind the camera.
That second compliment is particularly relevant because Barker isn't simply directing his next film. He's also stepping in front of the camera as one of its two leads, alongside his longtime creative partner Cooper Tomlinson.
What is Anything But Ghosts actually about?
According to Focus Features' official announcement, the upcoming film follows a pair of aspiring ghost hunters whose pursuit of fame takes a terrifying turn when they find themselves facing circumstances far beyond their control.
Barker directed the movie and co-wrote the screenplay with Tomlinson. The supporting cast includes Aaron Paul, Bryce Dallas Howard, Violet McGraw and Chris Reinacher.
Although Rogen believes the new movie surpasses Obsession, audiences shouldn't necessarily expect more of the same.
In a May 2026 interview with Bloody Disgusting, Barker explained that Anything But Ghosts leans considerably further into comedy. Its central characters are fraudulent paranormal investigators who discover that the supernatural threat they're dealing with is real.
Barker also explained that the movie retains the grounded approach of his previous work, introducing extraordinary events into a world where such things aren't supposed to happen.
That combination of horror and comedy could make Anything But Ghosts a noticeably different experience from Obsession, even if the filmmaker's distinctive approach remains intact.
Anything But Ghosts is scheduled to arrive in US cinemas on May 7, 2027, with Universal Pictures International handling distribution outside the United States.
Rogen's enthusiastic assessment offers an early endorsement from someone who has actually seen the movie, although its wider critical and audience reception remains to be determined.
