Curry Barker’s ‘Anything But Ghosts’ Is Testing Through the Roof — and Seth Rogen Says It’s Better Than ‘Obsession’

Curry Barker isn’t slowing down. “Obsession” went from a TIFF Midnight Madness pickup to a box office phenomenon that crossed $500M worldwide. Yet, as that film was taking off, if you can believe it, Barker had already shot his next one.

That film is “Anything But Ghosts,” a horror-comedy from Focus Features and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, which has been testing through the roof in recent months. No, really, the film is playing like gangbusters with test audiences. I’m only hearing great things.

Furthermore, writing about Barker for TIME’s list of rising stars, Seth Rogen mentioned that he has already seen “Anything But Ghosts.” His verdict: “it’s even better [than ‘Obsession’].” He added that Barker is as good an actor as he is a director.

Of course, you can roll your eyes at a celebrity hyping a friend, or protégé, for a magazine. That said, Rogen is far from the only good sign.

As mentioned, test scores on this one have been incredible, and having spoken to a handful of attendees, I’m starting to believe that Barker might have another hit on his hands. Sure, he might not match the once-in-a-lifetime cultural phenomenon of “Obsession,” but kid’s got chops, and there’s good reason why he’s already lined up three projects since “Obsession.”

What’s even more impressive is that my sources all tell me this is a very different film from “Obsession,” tonally and thematically, It’s a total 180. Barker and longtime partner Cooper Tomlinson co-wrote the film and play two con-artist ghost hunters. They rig shaking tables and flickering lights to fleece grieving clients, until they land a job that turns out to involve actual ghosts.

Tomlinson has pitched it as “if Key & Peele walked into ‘Hereditary.’” Aaron Paul, Bryce Dallas Howard, Violet McGraw and Chris Reinacher round out the cast. The film is set in the “Obsession” universe, with a single cameo scene connecting this was that film. Hint: Inde Navarrette has teased that Nikki’s fate will be addressed.

Focus has also dated the film for May 7, 2027, practically the same early-summer slot that “Obsession” had. Studios don’t usually give a prime date like that to a movie they’re nervous about. And based on early word, they have no reason to be.