Backrooms horror film grosses $145 M, director condemns AI in cinema

The low‑budget horror film *Backrooms*, directed by 20‑year‑old Kane Parsons, earned more than $145 million worldwide in its first two weeks, surpassing expectations for a $10 million production. The movie, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, is credited with drawing Generation Z back to theaters; Ejiofor said, “It’s becoming clear that young people want to go to the cinema, they love it.”

Parsons, whose debut for A24 broke studio records, used the same interview to denounce generative artificial intelligence in filmmaking. He stated, “If I could snap my fingers and make AI generative disappear forever, I probably would,” describing AI as “a symptom of broader cultural and economic decay.” While acknowledging limited utility for routine post‑production tasks, he insists AI should be examined as artistic subject rather than a creative tool.