Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg is not just sending congratulations to Kane Parsons and Curry Barker, who have taken the industry by storm. His words reveal the precise formula that enabled their modest indie films ‘Obsession‘ and ‘Backrooms‘ to challenge major studio franchises.
The ‘Jaws’ director weighed in on a keen understanding of what allowed them to captivate modern moviegoers and shape the future of cinematic storytelling. His shining a spotlight on two of this year’s most unexpected cinematic triumphs will definitely encourage other micro-budget disruptors to come up with fresh ideas and showcase their art on the big screen. Here’s what he had to say about these horror gems.
Steven Spielberg Praises The Box-Office Rise Of ‘Obsession’ And ‘Backrooms’
At a promotional event for his upcoming movie ‘Disclosure Day,’ Steven Spielberg praised the mainstream success of low-budget horror hits ‘Obsession’ and ‘Backrooms.’ In a brief red-carpet interview with Pop Drop, he expressed his excitement over audiences embracing original films made for a fraction of the budget of a typical studio tentpole.
Related: Why ‘Obsession’ Director Wanted Nikki To Act Like A Jealous Girlfriend
At the time of writing, Parsons’ ‘Backrooms’ has grossed around $185 million worldwide, while the box-office collection of Barker’s ‘Obsession’ stands at nearly $179 million. Spielberg saw the strong box office numbers of these low-budget movies as evidence that niche indie films can also succeed in theaters.
He described their success as “fantastic” and said that he “applauds” them. His comments come as the two films have joined the list of this year’s biggest hits in Hollywood, earning hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide.
“I think it’s great that they had basically very little money, especially Obsession had under $1 million, and the other film had maybe 10 or nine, and they’re doing so well,” he said. The director also pointed out how the future of the industry may hinge on allowing these types of creatives to take risks.
Instead of relying on big franchises and easily recognizable IPs, both flicks have shown that audiences are more than happy to turn out in support of original storytelling if it is enticing enough.
Spielberg Calls ‘Obsession’ A Favorite And Adds ‘Backrooms’ To His Watchlist
Steven Spielberg also shared that he had already seen ‘Obsession’ and was full of praise for the film. “I have seen Obsession, and I loved it,” he said, singling out the micro-budget horror phenomenon as one of the year’s most impressive achievements.
In case you missed it: Kane Parsons Is Already Planning The Next Evolution Of The ‘Backrooms’ Universe
In addition, the director revealed that he hasn’t watched ‘Backrooms’ but plans to view it once he’s completed his promotional duties. His endorsement matters, especially for somebody like Kane Parsons, who has made a name for himself in Hollywood relatively quickly.
The 20-year-old director went from viral YouTube videos to directing one of the biggest box-office hits of 2026. So, Spielberg’s compliment is a significant endorsement of this young filmmaker, and it also helped illustrate a broader change underway across the entertainment world.
The legendary director’s comments echo the emergence of a new wave of filmmakers who have found audiences online before transitioning to traditional filmmaking. It represents another path to mainstream box-office success.
You might also like to read: What Exactly Are ‘Backrooms’? The Viral Horror Story’s Origin Explained
