Kane Parsons said the success of A24’s Backrooms shows that young audiences remain eager to visit cinemas when offered fresh ideas rooted in online culture. Speaking at the Zurich Film Festival Summit, he argued that the film should not be confined to the horror label and that its appeal came partly from an established but decentralised YouTube phenomenon being adapted for the big screen.

The film, starring Renate Reinsve and Chiwetel Ejiofor, reportedly earned $401 million worldwide after its May release. Parsons said the trailer prompted viewers familiar with his YouTube series to wonder whether Hollywood had mishandled the concept, while Academy CEO Bill Kramer said the film demonstrated a stronger connection between YouTube audiences and theatrical cinema. Both also challenged the assumption that younger people naturally prefer short-form content, arguing that algorithm-driven consumption does not necessarily reflect their genuine preferences.