A24 is betting on the YouTube-to-cinema pipeline with Backrooms, a feature debut from content creator Kane Parsons that pairs Oscar-nominated talent with internet horror.
The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve in what Deadline describes as a terrifying descent into the film's premise. A24 is riding the momentum of YouTuber Mark Fischbach's Iron Lung—a self-financed pandemic project that earned $50 million at the box office in early 2026.
The success suggests audiences want horror from creators with massive online followings. These filmmakers understand viral tension and psychological dread in ways traditional Hollywood sometimes misses.
Ejiofor, fresh off prestige roles, brings weight to what could easily become a gimmicky premise in less capable hands. Norwegian star Reinsve, known for her searing performances, matches him as the two navigate the nightmare logic Parsons designed.
The timing is sharp. Every weekend brings another digital native getting the chance to direct. A24 has always gravitated toward counterculture energy—independent auteurs and boundary-pushing web personalities—and Backrooms signals they are committed to this trend.
Whether Parsons can replicate Fischbach's success remains unclear. But with two heavyweight actors and A24's distribution behind him, the internet's horror creator just got a major platform.
Horror fans are already watching. Can Backrooms open the door to mainstream crossover success?
