This Memorial Day weekend, A24’s Backrooms delivered a monstrous box office upset, opening to an estimated $81.4 million domestically and $118 million worldwide. Directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons in his feature debut, the internet-born creepypasta adaptation shattered A24’s previous opening weekend record (previously held by Civil War) and claimed the top spot ahead of holdovers like Obsession and Disney’s Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.
With an under-$10M budget, a laser-focused campaign aimed at its passionate Gen Z fanbase (88% of the audience under 35), and strong word-of-mouth driving repeat viewings, Backrooms turned viral lore into a genuine theatrical phenomenon. The viral internet horror idea is now a major film project, but not everyone believes the story behind it.The film is outperforming any other A24 opening, but now there seems to be some minor controversy attached.
Parsons, now 20, first gained attention at just 16 when he posted a series of short horror videos on YouTube based on the “backrooms” concept. The idea came from a single eerie image that spread online years ago. Parsons built a detailed world from that image, and his videos quickly gained millions of views.
That success led indie studio A24 to bring Parsons on board to direct a full-length version of Backrooms. The move surprised some in Hollywood, given his age and limited traditional experience, but the project has already shown strong early results. The film currently holds an 87 percent positive score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Despite those numbers, skepticism has grown online. Some users claim Parsons is not the real creator behind the project. A theory circulating on social media suggests that an unnamed industry figure is secretly responsible, using Parsons as a public face.
Parsons responded directly to the claims in a comment on a video by Dolan Darkest. He used humor to push back against the accusations. “This is actually all true,” Parsons wrote. “They don’t tell you this, but 96 percent of all movies released in North America and Europe are actually directed by the same person. They call him ‘The Older Gentleman.’ He has had all of Hollywood in a chokehold for decades now.”
The comment continued as a clear joke, but it highlighted the growing attention around the issue. Parsons added that this fictional figure forces filmmakers to sign over rights and personal information. His response did little to slow speculation, but it showed he is aware of the conversation.
Actor Mark Duplass, who is involved in the project, also addressed the claims. In a video posted to Instagram, Duplass said he worked closely with Parsons during production. “I was there,” Duplass said. He explained that he was partly brought in to support a young director. He described Parsons as “intensely prepared” and praised the depth of the film’s world, calling it one of the most detailed mythologies he has worked on.
Hollywood has seen similar rumors before. Director Tobe Hooper faced claims that he did not fully direct the 1982 film Poltergeist. Some believed Steven Spielberg, who helped develop the movie, handled much of the directing while also working on E.T.. Those claims were never confirmed, but they continue to circulate decades later.
The situation around Backrooms reflects a broader shift in how content is created and who gets credit. Younger creators are gaining influence through platforms like YouTube, often bypassing traditional paths into the film industry. That trend is producing new opportunities, but also new skepticism.
For now, Parsons remains at the center of both the film’s success and the debate surrounding it. The strong audience response suggests the project is connecting with viewers, even as questions continue to surface online.
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English (US) · 