‘Backrooms,’ ‘Obsession’: Independent Horror Reigns at the Box Office

For the first time in…ever, really, the box office is currently being dominated by two independent horror films made by YouTubers in their twenties. Backrooms, directed by Kane Parsons, and Obsession, directed by Curry Barker, have stayed in the public discussion for weeks after their respective releases. Both films are groundbreaking in different ways, but what is most impressive–and important–is that their success is causing people to rethink what exactly is the formula of a hit film.

In its opening weekend, Variety reports, A24’s Backrooms collected a record-breaking $81 million from 3,442 North American theaters. Alongside Focus Features’s Obsession jumping once more in its third week with $26.4 million from 2,781 cinemas and crossing the $100 million mark domestically, the future looks bright for young filmmakers–and for the horror genre itself.

Said analyst Jeff Bock of Exhibitor Relations, “This should empower the industry. There’s a new audience, and they’re waiting for this kind of content. We knew indie horror was hot, but we didn’t know how hot.”

Yes, audiences want these fresh takes and new ideas. We don’t want more of the corporate “horror” churned out by people who don’t understand the nuances of the genre and pushed by studios who don’t care. Both of these films offered the kind of storytelling fans crave, further proof that younger voices should not be ignored just because they don’t have experience.

Obsession has also sparked online debate surrounding how men treat women, and women’s experiences with men like main character Bear. Whether it will have men rethinking their behavior is another story. It is, however, important, and especially so right now, to confront male entitlement. Barker does that in such a sinister way that it renders the mundanity of its narrative into a deeply unsettling experience.

Backrooms will officially be pulling you further into its labyrinth

Following the success of Backrooms, Parson has confirmed that a sequel is in early development. For those familiar with his YouTube series that spawned the film, you’ll know that there is much more to explore. The film itself also doesn’t end so much as trails off. It seemed like the story wasn’t over quite yet. And looking back at the origins of the backrooms, it is undeniably an amazement that we could get a story on the level of what Parson created.

“From the beginning, it’s been so important to me to know the ending of a story and to be working backwards from that,” he explained to Rotten Tomatoes during a recent interview. “I guess that’s to say that, yes. There is a plan in line narratively for Backrooms. And no, it has not been completed.”

Additionally, both films cost almost nothing to produce. They’ve already long since recouped it. In a time when industry execs seem to be desperately trying to cut costs, this should be alluring to them. You don’t always need CGI and over-the-top special effects to make things scary. Give us liminal horror and we’re sold.

(Featured image: A24)

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