Universal's Halloween Horror Nights will introduce Nikki, the central character from the hit horror film Obsession, as a roaming character at its theme park events this autumn. The announcement was made by creative director John Murdy at a MidsummerScream panel, marking a somewhat unusual addition to the attraction's typically villain-led, monster-filled lineup, since Nikki is portrayed as the innocent victim of a curse rather than a menacing figure herself.

In the film, Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette, is cursed after a friend-zoned co-worker uses a "One Wish Willow" to make her obsessively devoted to him, with the story unfolding more like a psychological thriller than a slasher. Universal has chosen to depict her in her bloodied, tattooed state from the film's climax, and says she will appear unannounced around the parks in a "Where's Waldo?"-style format rather than as a fixed attraction. Obsession, a debut feature from director Curry Barker, was a breakout box-office success, grossing $475 million worldwide from a budget of just $750,000. Halloween Horror Nights begins on 28 August at Universal Orlando and 3 September at Universal Studios Hollywood.