Filmmaker Kane Parsons appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote the A24 horror film "Backrooms" [1, 2].
Parsons represents a new wave of digital-native creators transitioning from internet subcultures to major studio cinema. His journey from creating short-form content to directing a feature film highlights the evolving relationship between viral internet lore and traditional Hollywood production.
During the interview, Parsons discussed the evolution of the project and his personal involvement in composing the film's soundtrack [1, 2]. He shared insights into the creative process required to translate the conceptual nature of the "backrooms"—a popular internet creepypasta—into a cohesive cinematic experience [1].
Parsons, who is 20 years old [2], noted the timing of his entry into the digital world. "I was born the same year as YouTube," Parsons said [2]. This connection to the platform's inception underscores his familiarity with the medium that first popularized the source material for his film.
As part of the promotional appearance, Parsons provided tongue-in-cheek survival tips for navigating the fictional, liminal spaces depicted in the movie [1]. While some promotional materials for the segment jokingly suggested the use of a hydrogen bomb for survival, the discussion primarily focused on the film's development [1, 2].
The film features a cast including Renate Reinsve, and Chiwetel Ejiofor [2]. The production is part of a broader summer preview of horror titles from A24 [2].
“"I was born the same year as YouTube,"”
The transition of 'Backrooms' from a collaborative internet myth to an A24 feature film signals a shift in how studios source intellectual property. By hiring a creator like Parsons, who grew up alongside the platforms that birthed the lore, A24 is prioritizing authentic digital fluency over traditional directorial experience to capture the specific aesthetic of 'liminal space' horror.
