Kane Parsons, the director of A24's horror film 'Backrooms', is in Japan for the film's September 4 local release, with live television appearances and a stage greeting with Hideo Kojima scheduled for early September.
Kane Parsons is the 21-year-old director of 'Backrooms', a horror film adapted from his independently produced YouTube series. The film opened in the United States on May 29, 2026, and quickly became A24's highest-grossing release in North America, earning $97.84 million in the region and about $134.39 million worldwide by early June. By September, the worldwide gross had reached roughly $394 million.
Parsons has used YouTube to extend the film's reach. On August 18, 2026, the approximately 16 minutes of footage that had played only after the film's end credits in theaters was released for free on his official YouTube channel. The footage, titled 'Everything Must Go', was described as a 'Backrooms' series installment, connecting his web series to the feature film. The same day, A24 announced the release, noting the footage lacked Japanese subtitles but would be shown with them during the film's Japanese theatrical run.
Parsons' public profile has shifted with the film's success. In June, he became the subject of internet memes that fabricated fake statements from him, a cycle mirroring the online urban legend origins of the film. In early September, he is promoting the Japanese release in person. He is scheduled to appear live on TOKYO MX's '5-ji ni Muchu!' on September 3, the day before the film opens in Japan, and to hold a stage greeting with game creator Hideo Kojima at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills on September 4.
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Sep 2
Kane Parsons, the 21-year-old director of A24's horror film 'Backrooms', will appear live on TOKYO MX's evening program '5-ji ni Muchu!' on September 3, the day before the film's Japanese release. The appearance was arranged at the show's request. Parsons will discuss production stories and horror topics. The following day he holds a stage greeting with game creator Hideo Kojima at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills. The film has grossed about $394 million worldwide.
Aug 21
Filmmaker Kane Parsons released the 16-minute Backrooms series installment Everything Must Go on YouTube on August 18, 2026. The footage originally played after the end credits of the A24 feature film The Backrooms, which opened in the United States on May 29, 2026. It connects his YouTube series with the film version.
Aug 18
A24 announced on August 18 that the approximately 16 minutes of extra footage from the film Backrooms, previously shown only in theaters after the main feature, is now available for free on director Kane Parsons' official YouTube channel. The footage does not support Japanese subtitles, but will be shown with Japanese subtitles during the film's theatrical release in Japan on September 4.
Jun 9
A new internet meme fabricates fake statements from 'Backrooms' director Kane Parsons, using a film news-style format. The 20-year-old director, whose film became A24's highest-grossing release, is now being consumed as a meme himself, echoing the internet urban legend origins of his movie.
Jun 4
The YouTube-born horror film 'Backrooms,' directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons, has earned $97.84 million in North America, surpassing 'Marty Supreme: Seize the World' to become A24's highest-grossing film in the region. Worldwide, it has grossed approximately $134.39 million. A Japanese release is planned.