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Sci-fi horror film

OBEX (2026): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

OBEX (2026) movie poster

OBEX is a 2026 sci-fi horror film starring Albert Birney as Conor, Dorothy and Frank Mosley. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $49,861 worldwide on a $5,000 budget. Critics gave it 75 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$49.9K
Echo Score
75
Metascore
75
budget
$5K
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OBEX (2026) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Genres
Horror , Sci-Fi
Original language
English
Studio
Cartuna
Budget
$5K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is OBEX About?

The premise of OBEX without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Conor Marsh lives a solitary life with his dog, Sandy, until he becomes absorbed in OBEX, a cutting‑edge computer game that promises total immersion. When Sandy vanishes, the line between the virtual world and reality blurs, forcing Conor to dive into OBEX’s surreal realm to rescue her.

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Cast & crew

OBEX Cast & Characters

Albert Birney leads the cast as Conor, with Dorothy as Sandy and Frank Mosley as Victor.

Ratings

OBEX Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave OBEX 75 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in story & flow (66).

75 /100

OBEX Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, OBEX registers as a boldly experimental work that many critics and viewers find appealing, though its deliberate slowness and occasional opacity temper enthusiasm. The film’s low‑fi aesthetic, inventive sound design, and singular vision receive consistent praise, while its pacing and narrative clarity draw criticism from some quarters. These mixed but largely favorable reactions result in a respectable aggregate rating that reflects both the film’s originality and its divisive execution.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the film is widely praised for its distinctive black‑and‑white cinematography and inventive low‑fi production design. Critics note the cohesive visual style and handmade special effects as strengths, while one user reviewer finds the technique overly calculated without a clear vision. The overall impression is that the artistic execution is inventive and largely effective, despite isolated concerns about style over substance.

  • Character & Emotion 72

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances receive commendation for their earnestness and occasional nuance. Reviewers highlight Birney’s dedicated portrayal and the film’s ability to evoke a quirky, unsettling mood. Some users criticize the lack of deeper emotional resonance, describing the characters as more stylistic than substantive. The net assessment is that character work is competent and occasionally compelling, though it does not consistently reach deeper affective layers.

  • Story & Flow 66

    Regarding story and flow, opinions are mixed. Critics acknowledge the film’s originality and genre‑blending ambition, yet note that the script can feel uneven and the pacing sluggish, especially in the first hour. User feedback echoes this, with complaints about a meandering narrative alongside appreciation for its quirky premise. Consequently, the storytelling is viewed as inventive but hindered by pacing and occasional incoherence.

  • Sensory Experience 72

    In the sensory experience domain, the soundtrack and sound design are frequently cited as effective and evocative, complementing the visual palette. Reviewers appreciate the discordant yet purposeful audio cues and the cohesive monochrome aesthetic. One user points out that certain sound effects feel overt rather than immersive. Overall, the sensory elements succeed in reinforcing the film’s mood, despite isolated critiques of execution.

  • Rewatch Factor 71

    For rewatch factor, the film’s unique voice and nostalgic references generate enthusiasm among many viewers who anticipate repeat viewings. Positive comments emphasize lasting appeal and a desire to revisit its quirky world. However, some users find the pacing prohibitive for multiple watches, suggesting that the novelty may wear thin. The aggregate view is that OBEX holds moderate replay value, buoyed by its distinctive style and thematic resonance.

Plot

OBEX Plot Summary

What happens in OBEX from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Conor Marsh [Albert Birney] lives a secluded life in Baltimore in 1987, with his dog, Sandy [Dorothy]. One day, while flipping through a computer magazine, he spots an advertisement for a video game called OBEX, starring a demon named Ixaroth who devours human souls. Curious and slightly bored by the game’s simple gameplay, he buys it and starts to play, hoping for something more than a straightforward pastime. That night, the whir of his printer wakes him, and he discovers a note stating that something is inside his VHS tape collection. He searches, but the unknown figure remains elusive, hidden among familiar tapes. As he drifts back to sleep, the demon Ixaroth erupts from his television screen and abducts his dog.

Full summary

The whole story of OBEX, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

OBEX Box Office & Budget

OBEX grossed $49,861 worldwide on a $5,000 budget, 10.0 times what it cost. $48,174 came from the US and Canada and $1,687 (3%) from the rest of the world.

2026 box office

Worldwide gross

$49.9K

10.0× its budget

US & Canada
$48.2K
International
$1.7K
Budget
$5K
US & Canada 97% Rest of the world 3%
Videos

OBEX Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Teaser Teaser
  • Featurette Meet the Artist 2025: Albert Birney on “OBEX”
Quiz

How Well Do You Know OBEX?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the main character who lives a secluded life in Baltimore?

Details

OBEX Also Known As

4 alternative titles, including “게임 오벡스” and “界障”.

Also known as
  • 게임 오벡스
  • 界障
  • اوبکس
  • Obeksas

Seen OBEX?

FAQ

OBEX FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of OBEX, each answered in a sentence.

How long is OBEX?

OBEX runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was OBEX released?

OBEX was released on January 9, 2026.

Who is in the cast of OBEX?

OBEX stars Albert Birney as Conor, Dorothy as Sandy and Frank Mosley as Victor, among 4 credited actors.

How much did OBEX make at the box office?

OBEX grossed $49,861 worldwide ($48,174 domestic, $1,687 international) on a budget of $5,000.

How is OBEX rated?

OBEX has 75 on Metacritic.

Does OBEX have a post-credit scene?

No. OBEX has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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