They grew up with the internet before making their mark in movie theaters. In just a few weeks, backrooms by Kane Parsons and Obsession Curry Barker's films have become unexpected box-office phenomena. These first two feature films, directed by former content creators, illustrate the emergence of a new horror cinema that draws its inspiration from the codes, universes, and fears born online.
Universes created on the internet that became box office hits
At 20, Kane Parsons is a symbol of this new generation. Before acting, he made a name for himself on YouTube with his series. The Backrooms (Found Footage), launched when he was only 16 years old. His film backrooms It revisits the world of "backrooms," those labyrinthine spaces resembling empty offices that have become a true Internet legend over the years.
The feature film tells the story of Clark, a furniture store manager who discovers a passage to this parallel universe before gradually becoming lost within it. According to The HuffPostThe film was produced for approximately $10 million and has already generated $250 million in revenue in the United States, becoming the biggest success for the A24 studio. Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, it relies more on gradual tension and a disturbing atmosphere than on traditional scare effects.
A new way to scare young audiences
On a more personal note, Obsession Curry Barker's film confirms this same trend. It follows Bear, a young man willing to do anything to make his friend Nikki fall in love with him. Through this plot, the director explores very contemporary concerns surrounding desire, obsession, and idealized relationships.
The success of these two films primarily demonstrates that horror cinema is shifting its focus. Where Hollywood often relied on franchises or tried-and-tested formulas, this new generation of directors favors imagery already familiar to audiences: YouTube videos, participatory storytelling, a faux-amateur aesthetic, and pervasive fear. These references speak directly to viewers raised on internet culture and now seem capable of filling theaters just as effectively as traditional productions.
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