Kane Parsons makes his feature directorial debut with "Backrooms," an A24 film arriving May 29, and he credits horror stalwart Osgood Perkins as instrumental to the production. Perkins, working through his Phobos production banner, served as producer and mentor to Parsons, who becomes A24's youngest ever director with this project.
The film adapts Parsons' own work, giving the filmmaker control over his original material from inception through production. At A24, where horror credentials matter deeply, Parsons gets to work alongside Perkins, a director whose pedigree spans genre classics and celebrated indie horror. Perkins helmed "Longlegs" and "Gretel and Hansel," establishing himself as a visual architect of dread. His involvement as both producer and guide signals A24's investment in developing emerging talent within the horror space.
Parsons' description of Perkins as "a really great mentor figure" underscores how A24 operates as both a distributor and a creative incubator. The studio has long championed young filmmakers, pairing them with industry veterans who can shepherd them through their first features. This model has produced breakout directors like Ari Aster and Greta Gerwig.
"Backrooms" taps into internet horror mythology, adapting the creepypasta concept of liminal spaces and the unsettling architecture of endless corridors. The premise carries built-in audience appeal among Gen Z horror enthusiasts who grew up on online horror communities. A24's track record with elevated horror and internet-native concepts positions "Backrooms" for both critical attention and cult appeal.
The May 29 theatrical release places "Backrooms" in a competitive summer corridor, but A24's specialty in genre distribution means the studio trusts Parsons