'Backrooms’ Director Kane Parsons on Bursting into Hollywood, Internet Fandom, and Old IP

The rise of digital-native filmmakers is reshaping Hollywood, exemplified by 20-year-old Kane Parsons, whose psychological thriller *Backrooms* recently achieved a record-breaking $118 million global opening. This shift challenges traditional gatekeeping models, as creators leverage established online audiences to bypass conventional industry barriers. Parsons emphasizes the importance of maintaining creative integrity and specific artistic authorship when adapting internet-grown IP, cautioning against the superficial "costume" approach often favored by major studios. While the industry seeks to replicate this success, the core value lies in identifying artists who are already deeply immersed in niche communities. The discussion also highlights the evolving box office landscape, where nostalgia-driven projects like *Scary Movie 6* face competition from original, internet-born content, signaling a potential transition in what audiences prioritize in theaters.