Original horror films drove a strong box office surge last weekend, with new concepts pulling audiences back into theaters. Curry Barker’s Obsession led the trend by posting a rare fourth straight weekend of revenue growth, a result that signals renewed interest in theatrical releases driven by original ideas rather than franchise fatigue.
At the same time, Backrooms opened to strong numbers and set multiple early benchmarks. According to Deadline, director Kane Parsons is already moving forward with a sequel, and is searching for a screenwriting partner to shape the next installment, which will expand the film’s unsettling liminal world. The first film was written by Will Soodik, known for work on Ash vs Evil Dead and Westworld. It is not yet clear if Soodik will return for the sequel.
The success of Backrooms reflects a broader shift in audience demand. Viewers familiar with Parsons’ original YouTube series know the film only touched a small part of a much larger mythology. The story introduced the mysterious space and hinted at Async, a secretive organization studying it, leaving room for deeper exploration in future installments.
Potential returning characters include Mary, played by Renate Reinsve, and Phil, played by Mark Duplass. Even if the sequel takes a new direction, the existing world offers a wide narrative runway. Parsons has made clear that expansion was always part of the plan.
“[Sequels are] more than an option, it has been the intention since 2022,” Parsons said. “I went as far as I could with the YouTube series. Making a feature film became an option. I thought it would be a much slower road to get to where things are now. This film is the first part in what I would desire to be several narrative steps. I do not think you could get to it in the time you have for a single movie.”
Parsons also pointed to television as a long term goal. “A series would be my dream scenario. Personally, I think that is the most practical way to narratively get what you want,” he said. His vision includes expanding the story into a layered mix of drama and supernatural techno thriller elements, a direction that could align with current streaming demand for serialized content.
The sequel has not yet been officially greenlit, and no casting announcements have been made. Still, the film’s early performance and rapid development plans suggest studios are paying attention. With another strong week expected at the box office, Backrooms may signal a shift toward original horror as a reliable driver of theatrical revenue.
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English (US) · 