Nikki Freeman is the Halloween costume of 2026. Inde Navarrette's performance turned Curry Barker's Obsession into one of the biggest horror hits of the year, and her red zebra-print halter top is already one of the most recognizable horror outfits around. It's also simple to put together: a top, shorts, the right hair, and a very unsettling smile.
How to Make Nikki Freeman Costume
Red Zebra Print Halter TopBlack Faux Leather ShortsBlack Lace-Up Ankle BootsLong Dark Brown Middle Part WigDainty Gold NecklaceOne Wish WillowCoagulated Fake BloodCostume SetSaveTap any item in the photo to shop itClick any item in the photo to shop it
| # | Item | Description | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red Zebra Print Halter Top | The signature piece: a red and black zebra-stripe halter with a ruched sweetheart front, a small metal ring at the center, and a tie at the back of the neck. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 2 | Black Faux Leather Shorts | High-waisted black faux leather shorts. The shine is what makes the red top pop. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 3 | Black Lace-Up Ankle Boots | Plain black lace-up ankle boots with a lug sole. No source shows her shoes clearly, so these are a safe dark match that keeps the outfit's red top and black shorts in focus. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 4 | Long Dark Brown Middle Part Wig | Nikki's hair is long, very dark brown and parted straight down the middle. Leave it loose and a little messy for the later scenes. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 5 | Dainty Gold Necklace | A thin gold chain with a tiny drop pendant. It's the one sweet, ordinary detail in her look, which is exactly why it works. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 6 | One Wish Willow | The cursed wishing stick from the film, in its retro box. Carry it snapped in two if you want to show the wish has already been made. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 7 | Coagulated Fake Blood | Thick scab blood for the drip down one side of the face, from the hairline over the eye to the jaw. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
| 8 | Costume Set | A ready-made set with the zebra halter, shorts and a One Wish Willow, if you would rather buy it in one go. | 🛒 Check on Amazon |
This is Nikki as she looks once Bear's wish takes hold: the red zebra halter and black shorts, long dark hair, a delicate chain, and blood that she doesn't seem to notice. The film's sources don't show her shoes clearly, so black ankle boots (item 3) or plain black heels finish it off.
Getting the details right
The top should read red first and black second, with wavy zebra stripes rather than tiger stripes. The film's top is Princess Polly's Cielo mesh halter, and plenty of copies are sold as Nikki costumes; the one above has the same ring detail at the neckline.
The makeup is what turns this from a cute outfit into Nikki. The film's lurking scenes borrowed from TikTok's "uncanny valley" makeup trend, so keep your skin smooth and pale, widen your eyes, and practice a smile that's slightly too wide and held slightly too long. Add a streak of blood from the hairline down over one eye and let a few drops fall onto the chest. Don't smudge it: Nikki is never messy on purpose.
Nikki and Bear couples costume
Obsession makes an easy couples costume. Bear Bailey, played by Michael Johnston, is a regular guy who works at a music store, so a cozy patterned sweater and jeans will do. Give him the other half of the snapped One Wish Willow. This Nikki and Bear couples set includes both outfits.
For a group of horror girls, Nikki fits right in with Jennifer's Body, Carrie and M3GAN: sweet on the outside, very dangerous on the inside.
About Nikki Freeman
Nikki Freeman is the title obsession of Obsession, a horror film written and directed by YouTube creator Curry Barker, produced by Blumhouse and released by Focus Features. Bear Bailey, a shy music store employee, has loved his best friend Nikki since they were kids. When he buys a novelty toy called the One Wish Willow and wishes for Nikki to love him more than anything in the world, the wish comes true. Nikki's devotion quickly turns erratic, then violent, and Bear realizes he can't take the wish back.
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025 and opened in theaters on May 15, 2026. It became one of the most successful horror films of the year, earning more than $500 million worldwide, and Nikki was featured at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights for the 2026 season. Navarrette's performance was widely praised, especially because her screams, facial expressions and voice changes were done without CGI.
