A Night of Nightmares and Triumphs: ‘Obsession’ Dominates the 2025 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards

October 26, 2026 6 Min Read

The horror community converged in a celebration of the macabre this past Sunday as the annual Fangoria Chainsaw Awards took over the screen. Premiering on Shudder, the ceremony—a fan-voted spectacle that honors the best in horror film, television, and gaming—saw a massive sweep by the production Obsession, which emerged as the undisputed titan of the night.

Hosted by horror icon Devon Sawa—whose storied career includes seminal genre entries like Final Destination and the Chucky television series—the event served as a high-octane tribute to the visceral, the unsettling, and the downright terrifying. As the dust settled, Obsession stood tall with five major trophies, cementing its status as the defining horror experience of the year.

The Reign of ‘Obsession’: A Historic Sweep

The buzz surrounding Obsession reached a fever pitch during the ceremony as the film secured five Chainsaw Awards. Among the most prestigious of these were Best Director, awarded to the visionary Curry Barker, and Best Lead Performance, which went to the magnetic Inde Navarrette.

‘Obsession’ And ‘Backrooms’ Win Big at Fangoria Chainsaw Awards

The prestige of the evening was bolstered by the presence of horror royalty. In a moment that brought the audience to their feet, Insidious legend Lin Shaye took to the stage to present the final award of the evening to the Obsession team. This recognition solidified the film’s dominance, as voters clearly favored its unique narrative tension and stylistic execution.

Chronology of the Night: From Corn Mazes to Canines

The ceremony, written and directed by Michael Varrati, was designed to reflect the very genre it champions: unpredictable, immersive, and intentionally campy. The broadcast kicked off with a high-concept framing device, casting host Devon Sawa as a "scream king" navigating a literal corn maze, fighting off unseen entities that lurked between the rows.

As the night progressed, the balance between serious artistic recognition and fan-centric joy was palpable. One of the most endearing segments of the broadcast featured the legendary Dee Wallace—known for her iconic role in the Stephen King adaptation Cujo—presenting the "Goodest Boy" award. The recipient was Indy, the Nova Scotia retriever whose performance in Good Boy captured the hearts of fans worldwide. By bridging the gap between historical horror icons and modern breakout stars, the ceremony underscored the continuity of the genre’s legacy.

Supporting Data: The Rising Stars of the Horror Landscape

While Obsession claimed the lion’s share of the glory, the 2025 Chainsaw Awards highlighted a diverse field of contenders that pushed the boundaries of the medium.

The Rise of ‘Backrooms’: Following closely behind the night’s big winner, Backrooms secured three awards, including Best First Feature, Best Cinematography, and Best Score. This success reflects a growing trend in the industry where digital-native aesthetics and indie-developed concepts are successfully crossing over into mainstream horror acclaim.
Television and Gaming Excellence: The horror medium is no longer confined to the silver screen. Widow’s Bay was recognized as Best Series, highlighting the strength of episodic horror storytelling. Meanwhile, the gaming sector saw Resident Evil: Requiem walk away with the award for Best Video Game, proving that interactive horror remains a cornerstone of the fan experience.

Official Perspectives: The Philosophy of the Chainsaw Awards

For the creative team behind the broadcast, the goal was never just to present a list of winners. It was about fostering a dialogue with the audience.

"Like the genre it honors, the true fun of the Chainsaw Awards is that we have the audience’s permission to push the envelope," said Michael Varrati, the ceremony’s writer and director. "Horror fans not only want to celebrate the films and individuals who kept them watching, but they want to do it in a manner befitting the thing they love."

Varrati noted that the inclusion of unconventional categories, like the "Goodest Boy" award, was a deliberate choice to engage the community on their own terms. "That’s why we can present a special award to a dog who became a fan favorite or send our scream king host into a corn maze to contend with things lurking behind the rows," Varrati added.

Executive producers Armen Aghaeian, Tara Ansley, and Abhi Goel, working alongside lead producer Amanda Grace Collins, emphasized that the logistical complexity of the show was secondary to ensuring the "voice" of the horror fan was heard. By relying on fan voting, the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards have effectively become the "people’s choice" of the horror circuit, contrasting sharply with more formal, academic award bodies.

Honoring the Architects of Fear: Special Recognition

The ceremony also took a moment to look toward the future by honoring those who are actively shaping the next generation of genre storytelling.

The Editor’s Eyeball Award was bestowed upon Joe Bird, celebrated for his work on Talk to Me and Leviticus. This award serves as a bellwether for industry watchers, identifying rising talent poised for major contributions to the genre. A second Editor’s Eyeball Award went to James A. Janisse, who shared the honor with Chelsea Rebecca. The duo, famous for their influential YouTube channel Dead Meat, were recognized for their monumental role in fostering a community of horror enthusiasts and democratizing film criticism. Their platform has arguably done more to keep the horror conversation alive in the digital age than any traditional media outlet.

Implications for the Horror Industry

The 2025 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards provide several key insights into the current state of horror:

The Shift to Streaming and Digital-First Content: With the success of Obsession and Backrooms, it is clear that the "wide release" model is no longer the sole gatekeeper of quality. Fans are increasingly discovering, consuming, and championing horror through streaming platforms and online communities.
The Power of Fan-Led Recognition: The legitimacy of the Chainsaw Awards has grown significantly. Because the results are driven by fan engagement rather than a closed panel of industry executives, the awards serve as a highly accurate barometer for what is currently resonating with the public. Producers and studios take note of these winners, as they often represent the projects with the most "cult" longevity.
Cross-Platform Integration: By including gaming alongside film and television, the awards acknowledge the fluid nature of modern entertainment. Horror fans do not compartmentalize their interests; they view a terrifying game as being just as significant as a cinematic masterpiece.

Conclusion: A Genre in Its Golden Age

As the final credits rolled on the broadcast, the message was clear: the horror genre is in a state of robust health. The 2025 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards did not just celebrate a set of movies; they celebrated an ecosystem. From the veteran presence of Lin Shaye and Dee Wallace to the digital-first brilliance of James A. Janisse and the boundary-pushing direction of Curry Barker, the event served as a bridge between the past, present, and future of fear.

With Obsession leading the charge and new, unconventional voices like the creators of Backrooms gaining traction, the upcoming year promises to be another thrilling chapter in the history of horror. As the industry looks ahead, the influence of the Chainsaw Awards—and the dedicated, vocal, and passionate community that fuels them—will undoubtedly continue to dictate the trends and terrors that keep the world awake at night.