Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Lawsuit Claims Producer Denied Profits From $500 Million Horror Hit
Leonara Ann Darby is suing the company that made the horror movie “Obsession.”
She says she helped make the film successful but was not paid her fair share.
Darby says she was supposed to share credit and profits equally with two other producers.
She claims her work included helping fix the editing process and getting approval for reshoots.
The movie cost $750,000 to make.
It was later sold to Focus Features for $16.2 million.
It earned more than $500 million around the world.
Darby wants damages, unpaid bonuses, and one-third of the movie’s profits.
Tea Shop Productions and its co-founders have not publicly responded to the allegations.
Leonara Ann Darby sued Tea Shop Productions and co-founders James Harris and Mark Lane in California.
Darby says she was a lead producer of “Obsession,” despite receiving only an executive-producer credit.
She alleges a 2024 agreement required equal credit and profit-sharing among her, Harris, and Lane.
The film cost $750,000, sold to Focus Features for $16.2 million, and earned more than $500 million worldwide.
Darby seeks compensatory damages, unpaid bonuses, and one-third of the film’s net profits; the defendants have not publicly responded.
- Who
- Leonara Ann Darby is suing Tea Shop Productions and co-founders James Harris and Mark Lane.
- What
- Darby alleges she was excluded from recognition and profits connected to “Obsession.”
- When
- She filed the lawsuit on Monday and cites a 2024 agreement.
- Where
- The case was filed in California.
- Why
- Darby says she worked as a lead producer and was entitled to equal credit and profit-sharing.
Darby’s allegations
Tea Shop’s position
Producer role and credit
Darby’s allegations
Darby says she worked as one of three lead producers and was entitled to share credit equally with Harris and Lane, although she was formally credited as an executive producer.
Tea Shop’s position
Tea Shop Productions and the named co-founders have not issued a public response to the allegations.
Profit-sharing
Darby’s allegations
Darby alleges the defendants violated a 2024 agreement by excluding her from profit-sharing after “Obsession” became successful.
Tea Shop’s position
The defendants’ position on the alleged agreement and Darby’s requested one-third share has not been publicly stated.
Contribution to the film
Darby’s allegations
Darby says she helped restore director Curry Barker’s control over editing and secured reshoots that influenced the final cut.
Tea Shop’s position
Tea Shop Productions has not publicly addressed her account of her contributions.
- Film
- “Obsession,” a 2025 horror film
- Production budget
- $750,000
- Worldwide box office
- More than $500 million
- Acquisition deal
- Focus Features bought the film for $16.2 million at the Toronto International Film Festival
- Plaintiff
- Leonara Ann Darby, an executive producer who says she acted as a lead producer
- Defendants
- Tea Shop Productions, James Harris, and Mark Lane
- Requested relief
- Compensatory damages, unpaid project bonuses, and one-third of net profits