Apple TV Has The Unrated ‘Obsession’ Cut Streaming, But There’s Some Confusion

Apple TV Sells Confusing ‘Unrated’ Version of Blumhouse Thriller Obsession

Hollywood’s release strategy for Blumhouse’s horror thriller *Obsession* has ignited confusion after Apple TV made its version of the film available for stream, touting an “unrated” designation. However, discrepancies between Apple TV’s offering and the R-rated theatrical cut available on Amazon Prime Video have viewers questioning whether the streaming platform’s version is truly an unrated edit—or a simple labeling error.

Blumhouse’s *Obsession* premiered in theaters last week, where its gruesome sequences earned it an R rating. Now, Apple TV lists the same film as “unrated,” available for rent at $20 or purchase for $25. Amazon, meanwhile, offers the R-rated theatrical cut. The inconsistency has caused friction: Apple TV’s version lacks the option to rent or buy the theater edition, and Amazon does not provide access to Apple’s unrated cut, sparking speculation about exclusivity deals or platform oversights.

An unrated version typically implies additional graphic content removed for a stricter rating, such as extended violence or nudity. However, a closer examination of Apple TV’s version reveals minimal differences from the theatrical cut. A pivotal scene—a violent altercation between characters Sarah and Nikki—shows no added brutality. The runtime remains identical to the R-rated version, and even the infamous moment where Sarah’s face is struck by Nikki appears unchanged. Only faint, ambiguous sounds hint at potential missing audio cues, but these remain undocumented and unconfirmed by fans combing through the footage.

The mystery deepens when considering the film’s history: a purported unrated cut screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) reportedly included more explicit violence, including an extended shot of Sarah’s face showing signs of life before her death. This version, however, does not seem to exist on Apple TV. The dissonance between promotional materials and actual content has left critics and fans skeptical of Apple’s labeling.

Industry experts speculate that the “unrated” tag may stem from a miscommunication between distributor United Artists Releasing and Apple. The platform might be defaulting to the film’s initial submission format—or a mislabeled reel—rather than the true unrated edition. As of now, no versions contain verifiable cuts or additions, suggesting the confusion is likely accidental. Until clarified, viewers on both platforms appear to be watching the same film, albeit with Apple’s listing misleadingly implying exclusivity.

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