Hollywood is experiencing an unexpected moment thanks to the success of two horror productions directed by young creators who emerged from the Internet. The films Obsession and Backrooms: Dead End have become box office phenomena, proving that new generations can find appealing stories outside the traditional franchises that have dominated the industry for years.
The most striking aspect of this phenomenon is that both films were directed by filmmakers in their twenties who built their popularity on digital platforms before making the leap to the big screen. Against many odds, their projects not only captured the attention of horror fans, but also managed to mobilize millions of young people to the movie theaters.
Backrooms: No Exit, directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons, had an impressive opening, grossing over $118 million. Meanwhile, Obsession, directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker, accumulated close to $148 million in just two weeks, an extraordinary figure considering that its production budget was only $750,000.
Obsession: Generation Z drives box office recovery
The success of these productions has caught the attention of analysts and film industry executives, who see in this phenomenon a clear sign that Generation Z is willing to return to theaters when they find proposals designed specifically for their interests.
Over the past few years, movie theaters faced significant challenges. The growth of streaming platforms, the effects of the pandemic and the strikes that paralyzed part of Hollywood in 2023 significantly affected audience attendance.
However, the results obtained this year have generated optimism. Several studies indicate that younger viewers have played a key role in the sector’s recovery. Audiences under 35, especially those under 25, have responded positively to original content that connects with their tastes and experiences.
Movie chain owners have also celebrated the turnaround. Some are even comparing the performance of these films to that of big family hits and established franchises, something that seemed unlikely for independent horror productions.
One of the most interesting elements behind this phenomenon is the origin of its directors. Both Kane Parsons and Curry Barker built communities of internet followers long before working with major film studios.
In the case of Parsons, known on YouTube as Kane Pixels, his channel gathers millions of subscribers and hundreds of millions of views. His ability to tell visual stories and generate haunting atmospheres allowed him to capture the attention of a huge digital audience before making the leap to professional filmmaking.
This tour demonstrates how digital platforms have become a new talent pool for Hollywood, allowing young creators to develop storytelling skills and build a fan base without initially relying on the major studios.
The “Backrooms” phenomenon
The story behind Backrooms: no way out is particularly curious. It all started with a photograph shared on the internet in 2019. The image showed a seemingly empty space composed of endless yellow corridors illuminated by fluorescent lights.
The photograph awakened the imagination of thousands of users, who began to build theories and stories around that mysterious place. Kane Parsons saw in that image the potential to develop a horror and science fiction story.
Shortly thereafter, he created a short film where a character was trapped in these disturbing corridors. The video went viral almost immediately and accumulated millions of views, becoming one of the most talked about phenomena in the digital community.
The success of these films seems to send a clear message to the film industry: new generations are looking for original stories, close to their cultural references and created by voices that understand their interests.
While Hollywood continues to search for formulas to attract viewers, Obsession y Backrooms: no exit demonstrate that internet-born talent can compete with major productions and generate extraordinary results. Beyond the box office figures, both films represent a possible turnaround for an industry that seeks to reconnect with young audiences and regain enthusiasm for the big-screen movie-going experience.
Here you can see the trailer of Backrooms / Here you can see the trailer of Obsesión
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