“Backrooms”’ Kane Parsons Just Turned 21. His Horror Movie Has Made Over $250 Million Worldwide

Kane Parsons has firmly established his place in cinematic history by becoming the youngest director to work with acclaimed indie film studio A24. Now just 21 years old, Parsons has celebrated his birthday on June 18 as the mastermind behind the horror sensation “Backrooms.” Since its release on May 29, the film has already grossed over $250 million worldwide, marking a remarkable achievement for a first-time director.

A24 took to Instagram to honour Parsons on his special day, sharing a portrait along with a caption that simply read, “Kane Parsons is 21 years old.” This milestone comes after his debut film has rapidly ascended to being a box office triumph, pointing to the significant impact of his directorial vision.

“Backrooms” began as a YouTube series, which Parsons initially launched in January 2022. The series amassed considerable attention on the platform, capitalising on a 2019 meme from 4chan that depicted unsettling and surreal environments often referred to as liminal spaces. Parsons describes these spaces as areas of transition, both physically and metaphorically, and his work taps into the eerie essence of such locations.

In a recent conversation with IndieWire, Parsons reflected on the origins of his project, noting his deep connection to the internet. He remarked that he had been an avid online user throughout his life, emphasising that he was “born the same year as YouTube.” His passion for visual effects flourished during his youth, leading him to explore VFX-driven YouTube channels that demonstrated the accessibility of filmmaking.

Parsons recalls starting his journey with rudimentary resources; at the age of eleven, he began using pirated VFX software on his laptop to learn After Effects. His dedication to honing his skills paid off, as he crafted videos reflecting the creepypasta genre—a form of internet folklore that often centres around horror elements. The series plots a fictional narrative involving a 1990s research institute exploring the eerie “Backrooms,” expertly employing a found-footage style reminiscent of the iconic 1999 film “The Blair Witch Project.”

In a significant turn of events, Parsons chose to temporarily pause his plans for higher education to seize the opportunity of working with A24 on “Backrooms.” He collaborated with writer Will Soodik to develop the screenplay, which features performances by acclaimed talents such as Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, alongside Avan Jogia and Mark Duplass.

The film’s inaugural weekend was met with astounding success, grossing an impressive $118 million shortly after its release. This strong debut has solidified “Backrooms” as a dominant player at the box office, contributing to its global earnings.

Following the film’s success, Parsons has hinted at the possibility of a sequel. In an interview with Rotten Tomatoes, he shared that he had a clear narrative vision from the outset of the project in 2022, although he didn’t anticipate the overwhelming response it would receive. “I had hopes, but this has been insane. This has been f—ing insane,” he said, conveying both his surprise and excitement at the film’s achievements.

Kane Parsons’s journey from DIY filmmaker to the youngest director at A24 serves as an inspiring tale for aspiring creators. With his unique storytelling and innovative approach to horror, he has not only captured the interest of audiences but also set a high standard for future projects. As the film industry watches with keen interest, the potential for Parsons’s future work could very well redefine the landscape of independent cinema.