A24's Backrooms Earns 12.9 Billion Yen in US Opening, Japan Release Set
A24's horror film 'Backrooms' earned over $81 million (approximately 12.9 billion yen) in its US opening weekend from May 29, making it the highest-grossing original horror film and debut feature by a new director in North American history. The film also topped the global box office with $118 million (about 18.8 billion yen). Director Kane Parsons, now 20, became the youngest director ever to produce a film that ranked first in both US and worldwide box office, surpassing the previous record held by Josh Trank (27). The film is based on Parsons' YouTube short 'The Backrooms (Found Footage)', released when he was 16, which has accumulated over 200 million views. The feature was planned at age 17 and shot at 19. The cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell. Distributor Happinet Phantom Studios will release the film in Japan, though a date has not been announced. The film has sparked a social media phenomenon, with brands like McDonald's, Burger King, and IKEA Canada posting Backrooms-themed content.