A24 Horror Movie ‘Backrooms,’ Adapting Kane Parsons’ YouTube Series, Gets Ominous First Trailer

Hollywood Reporter

by Ryan Gajewski

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

A24’s horror movie *Backrooms*, directed by Kane Parsons and adapted from his viral YouTube series, has unveiled its first ominous trailer. Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell, and Avan Jogia, the film follows two individuals who discover a mysterious door in a furniture showroom basement. The teaser hints at a haunting narrative, with Ejiofor’s character describing a vast, ever-expanding labyrinth of rooms that seem to “remember” and “build” themselves over time. The project is co-produced by Shawn Levy and James Wan, with A24 and Chernin Entertainment serving as co-studios. Inspired by Parsons’ YouTube series, which has amassed over 190 million views, *Backrooms* marks the 20-year-old director’s debut feature film and makes him the youngest filmmaker in A24’s history. The movie is set to release on May 29, following the recent box office success of *Iron Lung*, another horror film by YouTube creator Markiplier, which surpassed $43 million globally. The making of *Backrooms* highlights a growing shift in Hollywood, where content creators from platforms like YouTube are gaining recognition and opportunities in traditional filmmaking. Despite challenges, including initial skepticism from studios, independent creators are proving their ability to deliver commercially successful and critically acclaimed projects. Parsons’ achievement not only underscores the potential of viral digital content but also challenges long-standing industry stigmas surrounding YouTubers in Hollywood.

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Originally published on Hollywood Reporter on 2/24/2026