A24’s big horror bet
A24 has a new horror title, The Backrooms, directed by Kane Parsons — billed as the studio’s youngest director to date — and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve and Mark Duplass; it’s slated for theatrical release May 29 (112.ua). The early coverage frames the film as one of the year’s most anticipated horror debuts, positioning A24 to lean into young auteur voices again (112.ua).
A24’s Backrooms is being produced in partnership with Atomic Monster, 21 Laps and Chernin Entertainment, with James Wan, Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, Dan Levine and Chris Ferguson among the producing team. (variety.com) Public reporting shows competing screenplay credits: Deadline first listed Roberto Patino as the writer (with revisions by Will Soodik), while subsequent listings and the film’s press records credit Will Soodik as screenwriter. (deadline.com) Production kicked off in Canada in July 2025 and industry notices indicate principal photography wrapped in mid‑August 2025, a timeline A24 signaled on its official social feed. (deadline.com) A24 released an official teaser and the first full trailer earlier this year, both emphasizing the franchise’s signature “Level 0” liminal imagery and unsettling sound design in footage posted to the studio’s YouTube channel. (youtube.com) Casting updates announced during production added Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell and Avan Jogia to the ensemble, with Deadline noting casting was handled by Wittney Horton. (deadline.com) Early industry screenings have reportedly drawn strong audience reactions, and trade coverage says A24 is weighing festival options — including talk of pursuing a Cannes debut — ahead of the studio release campaign. (worldofreel.com)
