#a24

‘I Found a Place’: How Backrooms Captures the Horror of Sinister Architecture The latest A24 thriller, Backrooms, plunges viewers into an unsettling journey through liminal spaces, transforming mundane architecture into a source of existential dread. The film follows Clark, a furniture store owner and architect played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who stumbles upon a mysterious portal to a labyrinthine realm of endless fluorescent-lit rooms. His attempts to explain this phenomenon to his therapist, Dr. Mary Kline (Renate Reinsve), become a chilling exploration of the psychological toll of navigating an unknowable, bureaucratic void. Directed by Kane Parsons, the 20-year-old filmmaker and youngest to collaborate with A24, Backrooms evolved from a series of YouTube shorts created using free 3D software like Blender and Adobe After Effects. These shorts, which first gained traction in 2019, introduced the concept of “backrooms”—a fictionalized expansion of the dead malls that became internet folklore in the early 2000s. The first image to popularize liminal spaces was a 2003 photo of a renovated furniture store in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where the emptiness of a shuttered big-box retail space evoked a sense of disorientation. As these physical spaces decayed, they became symbolic of the alienation of modern life, existing in a state of liminality between the real and the imagined. The film’s central setting, the backrooms, is a vast, repetitive expanse of identical rooms with drop ceilings, yellow-tinged lighting, and walls adorned with corporate-style wallpaper. These spaces, which defy logic and geography, mirror the bureaucratic sterility of modern institutions.#a24 #chiwetel_ejiofor #renate_reinsve #backrooms #kane_parsons

Endless yellow corridors started as an internet meme - now it's a Hollywood horror film The concept of the Backrooms, once a whispered internet meme, has evolved into a full-fledged Hollywood horror film. The idea of endless, fluorescent-lit corridors with no clear exit has captured the imagination of millions, transforming from a dark online joke into a cinematic exploration of isolation and psychological dread. The film, titled Backrooms, is the latest project from A24, the studio behind the Oscar-nominated horror film The Substance. Directed by 20-year-old Parsons, the film blends the eerie atmosphere of its internet origins with a narrative that delves into mental health and the lingering effects of trauma. The Backrooms originated in 2019 as a cryptic message board post on 4chan, where users were asked to share unsettling images that felt "off." One user uploaded a photo of an abandoned office space, its mustard-yellow walls and flickering fluorescent lights evoking a sense of claustrophobic dread. The accompanying text described a place where reality could fracture, where the walls stretched infinitely, and where the sound of buzzing lights and the scent of old carpet created an oppressive, disorienting environment. The post warned of the dangers of "noclip" glitches—gaming terms for teleporting through digital spaces—and hinted at the possibility of encountering something lurking in the shadows. The post's vivid, almost poetic description of the Backrooms resonated with internet users, sparking a subculture of horror enthusiasts and creepypasta fans. Its popularity grew rapidly, with the concept becoming a shared experience among those who had encountered the idea through forums, YouTube videos, or gaming communities.#a24 #parsons #chiwetel_ejiofor #renate_reinsve #backrooms

Obsession Filmmaker Curry Barker Sparks Hollywood Interest Amid Record Box Office Success Curry Barker, the 20-year-old YouTuber-turned-filmmaker behind the horror film Obsession, has become a focal point in Hollywood as his movie defied expectations with a record-breaking second weekend performance. The film, which opened with $17.1 million domestically, saw a 39% increase in its second weekend, reaching $23.9 million. By the end of its run, it had grossed $62.3 million domestically, marking the largest second-weekend spike in modern box office history outside of holiday periods. Barker’s meteoric rise has triggered a frenzy among studios, with multiple entities vying for his next project despite his lack of formal industry ties. According to sources, one studio attempted to secure Barker’s next original project with a $10 million preemptive offer, sight unseen. However, the filmmaker’s production banner, Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, holds a first-look deal with Universal Pictures, granting it priority negotiation rights for his future projects. This arrangement reportedly cooled the rival studio’s enthusiasm, though it leaves the door open for competition should Universal and Focus Features, the film’s distributor, fail to act. Barker’s next film, Anything But Ghosts, is already in the editing phase. Co-written with actor Cooper Tomlinson and starring the duo, the project is produced by Blumhouse-Atomic Monster. He also recently closed a deal to write and direct Texas Chainsaw Massacre for A24. Meanwhile, A24 is preparing to release Backrooms, a horror film directed by 20-year-old YouTube filmmaker Kane Parsons, which is expected to open between $45 million and $50 million. That would mark A24’s highest-ever debut.#universal_pictures #a24 #curry_barker #blumhouse_atomic_monster #cooper_tomlinson

Olivia Wilde and Seth Rogen’s New Movie Earns Strong Rotten Tomatoes Score Olivia Wilde and Seth Rogen’s comedy-drama The Invite has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, with the film currently holding a 91% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 35 reviews. The star-studded project, directed by Wilde and written by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, is set for a limited theatrical release by A24 on June 26, 2026. The film, which is based on a 2020 Spanish film, has been praised for its sharp writing, performances, and direction, with critics highlighting its blend of humor and emotional depth. The screenplay, co-written by Jones and McCormack, follows a long-married couple who find themselves in over their heads, a premise that has been lauded for its nuanced exploration of relationships and personal struggles. The film’s cast includes Wilde, Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton, with each actor bringing their unique flair to the story. Critics have noted the chemistry between the cast members, with some calling the performances “synced up” in a way that enhances the film’s authenticity. Reviews from major outlets have been largely enthusiastic. Rolling Stone’s David Fear praised the film for avoiding “stagy or stodgy” pitfalls, while calling attention to the actors’ ability to harmonize their individual styles. The New York Post’s Johnny Oleksinski described the film as “sophisticated, snappy, seductive, and stupendously funny,” emphasizing its balance of wit and emotional resonance. The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney stated that the film “should silence the doubters” about Wilde’s directing capabilities, a sentiment echoed by The Daily Beast’s Nick Schager, who called it “a hysterical, insightful, and ultimately moving portrait.#a24 #olivia_wilde #seth_rogen #rashida_jones #will_mccormack

A24's 'Mother Mary' Sparks Controversy Over Uncredited Inspiration from Electropop Duo MOTHERMARY A24’s psychological thriller Mother Mary, starring Anne Hathaway as a fictional pop star entangled in a complex relationship with her former costume designer, has ignited a debate over its potential uncredited inspiration from the electropop duo MOTHERMARY. The film, directed by David Lowery, premiered in U.S. theaters last weekend and has drawn mixed reviews. While Hathaway’s character is depicted as a pop icon drawing from religious imagery and pop culture figures like Madonna and Lady Gaga, critics and members of the real-life MOTHERMARY duo argue the film’s concept may have been lifted without acknowledgment. The real-life MOTHERMARY, an electropop band formed by twin sisters Elyse and Larena Winn, have expressed frustration over what they describe as intellectual property theft. The sisters, former Mormons who left their faith after experiencing trauma, have been vocal about their connection to the band’s name and its cultural significance. They revealed that the duo’s music, which centers on religious iconography and queer identity, was born from their struggle to reconcile their past with their present. The film’s use of their name and imagery, they claim, feels like a co-opting of their deeply personal journey. The Winns explained that forming MOTHERMARY was a way to process their trauma from the Mormon church, which they described as a system of control that imposed rigid expectations on women. They emphasized that the band’s name was a deliberate choice rooted in their anger and desire to reclaim the narrative around Mary, a figure central to their former faith. “Mother Mary is like the ultimate example of impossible expectations that women were supposed to be,” Larena Winn said. “She didn’t choose her life at all.#a24 #mothermary #elyse_winn #larena_winn #mother_mary

Olivia Wilde's 'The Invite' Explores Bay Area Dynamics Through Dark Comedy Olivia Wilde’s new film The Invite, a claustrophobic and irreverent comedy directed by the actress herself, is set in San Francisco, a city that Wilde described as a “cultural melting pot” and a place where the “texture, vibe, and specificity” of daily life shape the story. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2026 to universal acclaim, sparking a bidding war that led to its acquisition by distributor A24 for over $10 million. It is set for a theatrical release on June 26. The film’s San Francisco setting was integral to its narrative, with Wilde emphasizing that the story could only have been set in the city. The film’s opening screening at the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM) on April 25, 2026, drew significant attention, with Wilde in attendance. The film’s San Francisco scenes, which include locations like Molinari Delicatessen, A.P. Giannini Middle School in the Outer Sunset, and the Glen Park BART station, are presented as B-roll in the film but serve as a backdrop for a darkly comedic exploration of marriage, class, and social dynamics. Wilde, who stars as Angela, a mother and homemaker obsessed with renovating her vintage San Francisco apartment, described the city’s role in the story as essential. “When you see the film, it really does make sense that this particular group is from here,” she said during a Q&A following the screening. The film’s plot centers on Angela and her husband Joe (played by Seth Rogen), a disgruntled music teacher at an East Bay conservatory who cycles up San Francisco hills on a bike too small for him. Their marriage is on the brink of collapse, with the couple squabbling over trivial domestic details.#a24 #olivia_wilde #sundance_film_festival #san_francisco_international_film_festival #sffilm

Nick Offerman Joins Alex Garland’s ‘Elden Ring’ Film Project Production for Alex Garland’s upcoming film adaptation of the critically acclaimed video game Elden Ring is set to begin this week, with the casting of Nick Offerman marking a significant development in the project. The actor, best known for his role as Ron Swanson in the sitcom Parks and Recreation, has joined the cast alongside Kit Connor, Ben Whishaw, and Cailee Spaeny. Additional cast members are expected to be announced in the coming days as the production team finalizes its lineup. Offerman, who previously portrayed the U.S. President in Garland’s 2023 film Civil War, brings a wealth of experience to the project. His involvement underscores the growing prestige of the Elden Ring adaptation, which has drawn attention for its ambitious scope and the high-profile creative team behind it. The film, based on the 2022 video game of the same name, is co-created by George R. R. Martin, the acclaimed author of A Song of Ice and Fire, and Hidetaka Miyazaki, the game’s lead designer. The game, developed by Bandai Namco and FromSoftware, became a global phenomenon, selling over 30 million copies worldwide since its release in 2022. The Elden Ring film is being produced by A24, the independent studio known for its work on critically acclaimed films such as Everything Everywhere All At Once and The Power of the Dog. A24 has confirmed that the project is slated for a 2027 release, positioning it as a major cinematic endeavor with a focus on visual storytelling and immersive world-building. The film’s production is currently underway in Scotland, where the team is working to translate the game’s sprawling, dark fantasy world into a live-action format.#a24 #elden_ring #alex_garland #nick_offerman #george_r_r_martin

Elden Ring Movie Set Leak Sparks Fan Excitement as Production Begins A fan of FromSoftware’s Elden Ring has reportedly shared a glimpse of the movie adaptation’s set, sparking widespread excitement among players and fans of the action RPG. The leaked image, shared in a Discord message by user Throxtv, appears to show a highly detailed statue of Queen Marika, the game’s central divine ruler. The image has quickly gone viral, with many fans expressing disbelief at how closely the statue mirrors the character’s design in the game. Queen Marika is a pivotal figure in the Elden Ring lore, serving as the god-like sovereign of the Lands Between and the vessel for the Elden Ring itself. She founded the Golden Order and the Erdtree, but her decision to shatter the Elden Ring triggered the catastrophic event known as the Shattering, which fractured the world and set the stage for the game’s central conflict. The statue’s accuracy has led many to speculate that the film’s production is progressing rapidly, with details about the set’s location remaining unclear. While Throxtv mentioned the filming is happening 10 minutes from their home, the exact location has not been confirmed. However, given that A24, the studio behind the adaptation, has set production in England, many fans are assuming the set is being built there. The Elden Ring movie is currently in development at A24, with director Alex Garland (known for Ex Machina, Annihilation, and Civil War) at the helm. Garland, a long-time fan of the game, has been deeply involved in the project since its early stages. Last year, he completed a 160-page script draft, accompanied by 40 additional pages of visual concepts, and flew to Japan to pitch the project directly to FromSoftware’s developers.#fromsoftware #a24 #elden_ring #alex_garland #queen_marika

2026 Box Office: The Most Important Movie For Every Studio The 2026 box office landscape is shaping up as a pivotal moment for major studios, with each company facing unique challenges and opportunities. Scott Mendelson, a well-known film analyst, has compiled a list of the most critical theatrical releases for every major studio, emphasizing their significance amid shifting industry dynamics. The analysis highlights how corporate consolidation and evolving audience preferences are reshaping the importance of specific films. Disney, for instance, is grappling with seven years of mixed reactions to its Marvel films. The studio’s ability to recapture audience enthusiasm will be crucial, as its upcoming releases could determine whether the franchise continues to dominate or faces a decline in popularity. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. is testing a new strategy by offering lower budgets but securing wider theatrical distribution. This approach aims to balance cost efficiency with broad reach, though its effectiveness remains uncertain. A24, known for its indie films, is positioning itself as a go-to destination for romance and character-driven stories. The studio’s upcoming projects could solidify its reputation in the genre, potentially challenging traditional Hollywood studios. However, the success of these films will depend on their ability to connect with audiences in a competitive market. The analysis also notes that the importance of certain films has intensified due to ongoing corporate mergers and acquisitions. For example, a film that might have seemed like a minor release in previous years now carries significant weight for its studio, given the stakes of maintaining market share. This shift underscores the unpredictable nature of the box office and the pressures faced by studios to deliver hits.#warner_bros #disney #scott_mendelson #a24 #2026_box_office