There have been some rather odd claims stating that Backrooms director Kane Parsons didn’t actually direct the film, prompting him to respond. The claims began circulating across social media, with some trying to discredit the 20-year-old director’s efforts, likely due to his age. Backrooms is produced by acclaimed directors like James Wan (The Conjuring), Shawn Levy (Deadpool and Wolverine), and Osgood Perkins (Longlegs), which led some to believe that they may be running the show and “ghost directing” the project.
Actor Mark Duplass addressed the rumors on his social media pages by stating that it was totally false, even posting a video on Instagram stating that Parsons didn’t need any help because he was “intensely prepared.” The actor went on to praise Parson’s thoughtfulness as a creator, including with his ability to work with actors, something that Parsons wouldn’t have had much experience with before.
Parsons himself jokingly addressed the rumors as well in the comments section of a video from YouTuber Dolan Darkest.
“This is actually all true,” joked Parsons. “They don’t tell you this, but 96% of all movies released in North America and Europe are actually directed by the same person. They call him ‘The Older Gentleman.’ He has had all of Hollywood in a chokehold for decades now. They make you sign over all of your intellectual property, life rights, and genetic information to him when you enter the industry. He loves movies.”
Parsons gained prominence as a filmmaker in 2022 with the debut of his liminal short horror film, The Backrooms. The teenage creator had made some compelling videos prior to this, but the virality of The Backrooms attracted a lot of attention. By 2023, A24 had recruited Parsons to develop the idea into a feature film. Early reviews for Backrooms indicate it’s a strong and promising debut for the young creator and, should the film be a financial success, Parsons will likely have the opportunity to direct more projects.
IGN gave Backrooms an 8/10, noting that it “blends superb visuals and excellent characterization with the lore of the Backrooms to create a terrifying and thrilling big-screen debut for the liminal horror classic.”
Young YouTubers and content creators have been getting opportunities to direct feature films, resulting in a new generation of savvy directors that can turn a profit on small budgets. Earlier this month, Curry Barker’s Obsession was released and has become one of the most successful films of 2026. Barker has also been tapped to direct a new Texas Chainsaw Massacre film. Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou AKA RackaRacka made waves in 2023 with their film Talk to Me, after years of success on YouTube.
Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN’s news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.
