Kane Parsons directed his first feature film, the horror movie "Backrooms," at age 20 [1].
The project marks a significant shift in how studio films are sourced, as A24 elevates a creator from a viral internet phenomenon to a professional feature director. By tapping into the "liminal horror" aesthetic, the studio is bridging the gap between organic digital folklore and traditional cinema.
Produced by A24, the film was shot in Burbank and Los Angeles, California [4, 5]. Parsons, who was born in 2005 [2], is the youngest director the studio has ever employed [4]. The movie was released in May 2026 as part of the summer film season [3].
Parsons adapted the story from the viral "Backrooms" internet trend, focusing on the unsettling nature of empty, transitional spaces. Despite his age and background as a content creator, Parsons served as the writer-director of the feature [1].
During the production process, Parsons expressed concerns regarding the influence of studio executives. "I was nervous my work might get ‘butchered by suits,’" Parsons said.
Some social-media users speculated that the 20-year-old did not actually direct the film. However, industry reports confirmed his role as the writer-director [1]. Mark Duplass defended Parsons' legitimacy in the industry. "Kane is the director, not a YouTuber. He earned his spot," Duplass said.
Reflecting on the experience of moving from independent digital shorts to a major studio production, Parsons described the achievement as "a weird dream come true," he said.
“"I was nervous my work might get ‘butchered by suits.’"”
The appointment of a 20-year-old director to a major A24 production signals a shift in the industry's valuation of digital-native talent. By bypassing traditional film school or short-film circuits in favor of viral proof-of-concept success, A24 is acknowledging that internet subcultures now serve as primary incubators for new cinematic styles and audiences.
