Following the breakout success of “Obsession,” Inde Navarrette has quickly emerged as one of horror’s most exciting new talents. While many viewers know her for her chilling portrayal of Nikki, the film’s increasingly obsessive girlfriend, the 25-year-old actress has been steadily building her career for years. From the story behind her name to the role that made her horror’s newest scream queen, here are five things to know about the rising star
“Inde” isn’t her birth name
Born Danielle Fabiola Navarrette, the actress grew up in a military family with a Mexican father and an Australian mother. Because of her father’s service, she attended 11 different schools before turning 15 and frequently moved across the country. Rather than seeing each relocation as a setback, she used them as opportunities to reinvent herself. During one of those fresh starts, she adopted the nickname “Inde” – inspired by her independent personality – and the name eventually became the one she uses professionally today.
She made her breakthrough on television
Before becoming a horror sensation, Navarrette first gained attention on television. She appeared as Estela de la Cruz in the fourth and final season of Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why before landing her most prominent role as Sarah Cushing in Superman & Lois. As the longtime love interest of Jordan Kent (Alexander Garfin), Superman’s son, she became a familiar face to DC fans worldwide. Appearing as a series regular throughout the show’s run, the role helped establish her as one of television’s rising young stars.
Obsession turned her into horror’s newest scream queen
Navarrette’s career reached new heights with her lead performance as Nikki Freeman in Curry Barker’s Obsession. Made on a reported budget of under US$1 million, the film became one of 2026’s biggest surprise horror hits, grossing more than US$75 million worldwide by late May. Her emotionally intense portrayal and unsettling physical transformation earned widespread praise, cementing her status as one of horror’s most exciting rising stars ahead of her another upcoming thriller Invertigo.
She was genuinely scared while filming Obsession
Despite becoming horror’s newest breakout star, Navarrette admits she was often frightened while filming Obsession. In interviews promoting the film, she revealed that Nikki’s unsettling facial expressions became so intense that she sometimes avoided looking at herself in mirrors. She even joked that filming resulted in a US$350 electricity bill because she left every light in her house on. Navarrette has also said that Nikki’s loss of control and bodily autonomy was what made the story truly terrifying to her.
She has a creative life beyond acting
Away from acting, Navarrette has a wide range of creative interests. The actress is a passionate painter and occasionally shares her artwork and sketches on social media, giving fans a glimpse into her life beyond Hollywood. She’s also an avid anime fan, citing My Hero Academia, Hunter × Hunter and Jujutsu Kaisen among her favourites. Beyond that, she enjoys playing pool, people-watching at local dive bars and listening to podcasts. Whether through painting or other creative pursuits, artistic expression remains a major part of her life off-screen.
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