‘Backrooms,’ ‘Obsession,’ and Why Two Gen Z Horror Directors Are Taking Over Hollywood
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- Focus Features acquired the horror film “Obsession” for $15 million at the Toronto Film Festival in fall 2025.
- Curry Barker, 26, directed “Obsession” and already secured an eight‑figure deal for his next project after being slated to reboot “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” for A24.
- Obsession posted a roughly 40 % box‑office lift in its second weekend, a rarity for horror titles.
- Kane Parsons, 20, turned his YouTube series “Backrooms” into an A24 film starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, pulling $10 million in Thursday previews and aiming for a $60 million opening.
- IndieWire’s Screen Talk podcast wrapped up Cannes Film Festival winners and Oscar prospects, highlighting titles such as “Fjord,” “The Black Ball,” and “All of a Sudden.”
Why it matters: Studios Focus Features and A24 lock in lucrative Gen Z talent, gaining early access to high‑grossing horror while younger creators secure massive deals; the shift may reshape festival lineups and award narratives.
