Story perspectives

A24's 20-Year-Old Director Leads $40M “Backrooms” Debut

5/28/2026

Summary

Parsons Directs Backrooms

Backrooms opens in U.S. theaters on May 29, 2026.
Kane Parsons, 20, directs the film, becoming A24’s youngest feature director.
The cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, and Mark Duplass, with James Wan, Shawn Levy, and Osgood Perkins producing.
Mark Duplass confirmed on May 26, 2026 that Parsons had full control on set.
Industry response gave the film an 87% Rotten Tomatoes consensus on May 27, 2026 and projected a $30-$50 million opening weekend.

Summary

Parsons Denies Conspiracy

Mark Duplass publicly denied a conspiracy that a veteran director ghost-directed Backrooms, confirming Parsons' full control.
Parsons spent five years developing the Backrooms lore on his YouTube channel “Kane Pixels” with Blender.
He skipped college this autumn after an A24 deal closed the same week his applications were due.
Before each shoot he over-prepared for all eventualities and asked the crew nightly how to improve.

History

Historical Context

In 2007 Oren Peli self-financed the found-footage horror Paranormal Activity for $15,000, and after festival screenings Paramount Pictures bought U.S. rights for $350,000. The film’s limited rollout in September 2009 expanded to a nationwide release in October, ultimately earning about $194 million worldwide and spawning a low-budget horror wave. That success provides a template for the Backrooms debut, which adopts a similar low-budget, viral-marketing approach.

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Parsons Directs Backrooms

Backrooms opens in U.S. theaters on May 29, 2026.
Kane Parsons, 20, directs the film, becoming A24’s youngest feature director.
The cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, and Mark Duplass, with James Wan, Shawn Levy, and Osgood Perkins producing.
Mark Duplass confirmed on May 26, 2026 that Parsons had full control on set.
Industry response gave the film an 87% Rotten Tomatoes consensus on May 27, 2026 and projected a $30-$50 million opening weekend.

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