Did Nikki have feelings for Bear? Final answer.

No. Nikki thought of Bear as a brother, and there are scenes from the movie and statements from Barker that prove this.

Is there intentional ambiguity from pre-wish Nikki at the beginning of the movie? Yes, but that wasn't meant to invoke that Nikki is canonically interested in Bear. The reason for the ambiguity is because of this:

Obsession takes place from Bear's perspective. Bear thinks he might have a chance with Nikki, so obviously we see Nikki from the perspective of a man who really wants to believe he has a chance.

Friendly reminder that Nikki says 'ew' to things regarding Bear numerous times before the wish. Reminder that Ian and Nikki were hooking up behind Bear's back. Reminder that Sarah heard from Nikki that she thought of Bear as a brother (I know some people theorize she was lying, but Sarah doesn't actually gain anything from lying about that).

Many people will bring up that Inde Navarette said she thinks Nikki could have liked Bear. With all due respect to Inde, as she played the character herself, Barker himself would disagree. Barker even commended Inde for bringing a 'bro-y' feel to Nikki as a character, because it nailed in the idea that Bear is in the friendzone. Barker himself has said Bear is in the friendzone! How is this still a conversation.

I think people take too much credit from actors/actresses, the writer is the only one we should be listening too. Michael Johnston for example didn't even notice that the pills he used at the end of the movie were the ones that killed his cat. Sometimes actors just don't notice or misinterpret things. That isn't the case for the writer himself.

Speaking of Barker, I'm gonna nail in the biggest piece of evidence: Barker said that he wanted the story to be about Hansel and Gretel.

Nikki says her speech about how wrong it is that she's romantically involved with her brother in the middle of the movie. That's because she thought of Bear as a brother, and is now being forced to do sexual things with him, the real Nikki feels how disgusting and incestuous it is. Barker himself also says that Nikki and Bear being together in general is supposed to be seen as inherently wrong under this pretense.

Anyway, I'm obsessed with this movie and have rewatched it many times. I get a little annoyed with those who think Nikki could have possibly liked Bear, as that takes away from the primary message of the movie. It is mind-numbingly clear that Nikki sees Bear as not only a friend, but a brother. If you disagree, I want you to start with explaining the Hansel and Gretel speech scene. Thanks for reading.