A24 and Kane Parsons’ ‘Backrooms’ Releases Unusual Poster

A24 has decided to put up some wallpaper and call it a poster. At least that’s the idea they went with in promoting Kane Parsons’ upcoming “The Backrooms.”

Know what? I admire the sheer audacity of this move. Just plaster this poster in theaters nationwide, and let the thing market itself. No flashy taglines, no gimmicky graphics—just yellowish-beige wallpaper.

The yellowish‑beige palette fits in with Parsons’ YouTube short films, on which this feature is based. He was actually just 19 when A24 tapped him to direct a feature-length adaptation of his viral hit, “The Backrooms.” Roberto Patino (“DMZ”) wrote the screenplay.

Although specific plot points remain under wraps, the original YouTube series employed a found-footage style to explore eerie spaces that feel like they exist just beyond the boundaries of reality. Its slow-burning tension and DIY visual effects captivated millions of viewers and built an immense online following.

Between Parsons, YouTube duo RackaRacka’s critical success with “Talk to Me” and “Bring Her Home,” not to mention the box office success of Markiplier’s “Iron Lung,” it’s clear that online creators are continuing to make serious inroads into traditional filmmaking.

The ‘Backrooms’ cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell, and Avan Jogia. Shawn Levy and James Wan are among the many producers. The film is set to hit theaters on May 29, 2026.

Note: I’m hearing a ‘Backrooms’ trailer will be released online tomorrow.

Can Nathan Fielder’s ‘You Can See Everything’ Make Oscar History as the First “Documentary” Nominated for Best Picture?

In the Academy’s 97-year history, no documentary has ever been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar? Fielder’s doc is being tipped as potentially making history — but is it even non-fiction?

Ridley Scott Claims ‘Treasure Island’ Will Be the Most Expensive Movie of His Career

Scott says it could be “the highest budget film” of his career” before accounting for tax incentives.” If Scott isn’t bullsh*tting here, and lord knows he might be, that would put the cost in the $200M+ range.

Brady Corbet’s ‘The Origin of the World,’ His ‘X-Rated’ 4-Hour Follow-Up to ‘The Brutalist,’ Begins Production in South Africa

Brady Corbet's “The Origin of the World,” his X-Rated epic about "Northern California’s economy" in the 1970s epic, has now started production in South Africa under the working title “SALT FLATS.”

Mia Hansen-Løve’s ‘If Love Should Die’ is Finally Happening — Renate Reinsve Vicky Krieps, Johnny Flynn to Star

Hansen-Løve has a new film — a period piece set in England. “If Love Should Die” will focus on the 18th-century English philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft. This was announced three years ago, and it is finally happening.

Venice 2026: Koreeda’s ‘Look Back’ Disappoints, el-Toukhy’s ‘Woman Unknown’ Provokes, Moretti Surprises

Venice keeps trudging along. Twelve of the 21 films in competition have now been screened. Tomorrow, we’ll get to see Casey Affleck’s “Company,” Florian Zeller’s “Bunker,” and Ilya Khrzhanovsky’s “DAU.”

August 19, 2019

3-Hour ‘Midsommar' Director's Cut Screened in NYC

This year’s 12th edition of the Scary Movies festival at Film at Lincoln Center premiered Ari Aster’s extended version of “Midsommar” this past Saturday.

Good/Great Movies That Don't Deserve Their “Rotten" Scores

These 31 titles clearly have their share of detractors — that’s why they’re “rotten” — and I expect some people to question a few of these picks. That’s fine. However, I believe most are strong films, worth reevaluating.

‘Dune: Part Three’ Reportedly “Blew Away" Warner Bros. With Rough 3-Hour Cut as New Teaser Stuns

Today, “Dune: Part Three” tickets went on sale, this time non-premium formats were made available, and it was all accompanied by a brand-new teaser—and the footage is stunning.

What is David Fincher’s Best Film? 100+ Critics Say, No Contest, It’s ‘Zodiac’

We managed to gather 118 ballots from critics, programmers, filmmakers, and scholars. Each was asked to submit a single title, the one they believe to be the best of Fincher’s filmography.

Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Glimpses of the Moon’ (Apparently) Starts Production This Month in Italy

Coppola has described “Glimpses” as a “strange 30s-style musical.” No cast has been announced. The film is a loose adaptation of Edith Wharton’s novel, “inspired” by Leo McCarey’s “The Awful Truth.”

Fritz Lang’s ‘M’ Tops the Best Films of the 1930s, According to 100+ Critics

We’ve gone through the decades. The ‘40s ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘2000s, and ‘2010s. — all revisited, argued over. Now, here are the results for the best films of the 1930s.

Critics Poll: ‘Citizen Kane' Named Best Film of the 1940s

The results are in, and according to critics, this decade filled with cinematic riches did not have a better film than Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane.” Nobody should be surprised by this result. “Citizen Kane” changed cinema forever.

Critics Poll: ‘Vertigo’ Named Best Film of the 1950s, Over 120 Participants

It was a closer race than anticipated, but Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” has topped our best of the ’50s poll, besting Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen’s “Singin’ in the Rain” by just two votes.

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