08 June,2026 05:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
A still from Obsession
A social media post by Sally Choi, the art director of the surprise horror hit Obsession, has sparked a heated debate online after she revealed how much she earned while working on the film.
According to TheWrap, Choi shared an Instagram post claiming she was paid 300 USD per day for her work on the film, taking home 6,741.36 USD after taxes. She noted that the movie was made on a reported budget of 750,000 USD and is projected to earn hundreds of millions at the global box office.
In the post, Choi said she had struggled with whether to speak publicly about her experience and described the realities faced by many crew members working behind the scenes in the film industry. She also claimed that she took on responsibilities beyond her official title, including production assistant, buyer, driver and set dresser duties in Curry Barker's film.
While many users sympathised with Choi and argued that crew members on successful independent films deserve a larger share of the rewards, others felt her criticism was misplaced.
The discussion quickly spread across X, where filmmakers, actors and industry professionals weighed in on the issue. Some argued that low-budget independent productions often require crew members to wear multiple hats and accept lower pay in exchange for experience and credits. Others said the film's massive success should have resulted in bonuses or additional compensation for key crew members.
Several viral posts criticised Choi for publicly complaining about a rate she had agreed to before production began, suggesting she could instead leverage her Obsession credit to secure higher-paying opportunities in the future.
The controversy has reignited conversations about compensation for below-the-line workers in Hollywood. Choi's post also highlighted the financial challenges many crew members face while working on independent productions, despite the potential for those projects to become major commercial successes.
Released in May this year, Obsession has emerged as one of 2026's biggest breakout hits. Directed by filmmaker Curry Barker, the horror film reportedly turned its modest budget into a box-office phenomenon, drawing attention across the industry.
As the debate continues online, Choi's post has become a flashpoint in a broader discussion about fair pay, profit-sharing and the realities of working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.
