Backrooms is a reminder that the internet is the future of cinema

Summary

The film 'Backrooms,' directed by 17-year-old Kane Parsons, exemplifies the internet as the future of cinema. Parsons' journey from YouTube to A24 highlights a trend of online creators achieving mainstream success. While the film excels in horror and atmosphere, character development needs improvement. The article welcomes this shift, seeing it as vital for cinema's survival.

Key Takeaways

1. Backrooms is a reminder that the internet is the future of cinema.
2. Kane Parsons taught himself how to use Adobe After Effects and Blender as a teenager, experimented with online short films, and rose to online fame with his first Backrooms short in 2022 (which now has nearly 80 million views).
3. Backrooms exists as a feature hitting cinemas around the world is impressive, even more so because it's also a genuinely solid horror film with a skillful application of tension and dread that belies the director's young age.

Statement Breakdown

• Claimed Facts: 40% of statements the article presents as facts
• Opinions: 50% of statements classified as editorial or subjective
• Claims: 10% of statements surfaced for additional reader evaluation

Credibility & Bias Reasoning

Credibility assessment: The article relies on the author's subjective interpretation and analysis of a film. While it references specific directorial achievements and historical parallels, it lacks direct evidence or expert consensus. The author's personal viewing experience is a significant factor in the assessment.

Bias assessment: Internet-Native Creator Advocacy. The article strongly champions the rise of internet-born talent in filmmaking, framing it as the definitive future of cinema. It consistently highlights the successes of YouTubers and online creators, while downplaying potential drawbacks or alternative perspectives on traditional filmmaking.

Note: This article offers a strong opinion on the future of cinema, celebrating internet-native creators. Consider it an enthusiastic perspective rather than a neutral review.

Credibility flag: Enthusiastic endorsement

Claimed Facts (10)

• This states verifiable information about the director's background and the success of his online content.
• This provides a specific detail about the director's age and his professional engagement with a major studio.
• This lists specific films and creators as examples of internet-originating content.
• This provides historical context about talent emerging from new media platforms.
• This offers a specific example of a renowned director's early career in television.
• This states the origin of the 'Backrooms' concept and its connection to online communities.
• This describes specific stylistic elements of the film that are derived from its online origins.
• This provides a factual plot point about the film's protagonist and premise.
• This details another character and their role in the film's narrative.
• This is a direct observation from the author about the audience's reaction during a screening.

Opinions (10)

• This is a subjective assertion about the significance of the film and the internet's role in filmmaking.
• This expresses a positive judgment on the film's quality and the director's talent.
• This is a predictive statement and an interpretation of the film's significance.
• This is a declarative statement of belief about the evolution of talent development in the film industry.
• This offers an interpretation of how online communities have influenced a concept in horror.
• This is a speculative statement suggesting a deeper analysis of the phenomenon.
• This expresses a personal sentiment about a perceived loss in artistic style, while still offering praise.
• This is a critical assessment of the film's character development.
• This is a comparative judgment on the film's elements, prioritizing the setting over the characters.
• This expresses relief and approval regarding the film's narrative approach.

Claims (2)

• This is a statement of fact that is likely true but presented in a way that emphasizes the director's youth for dramatic effect, bordering on sensationalism.
• This is an emotional appeal and a subjective declaration of personal desire for cinema's survival, framed with a self-aware but still somewhat dramatic tone.

Key Sources

• Devindra Hardawar — Author
• A24 — Film Studio
• Markiplier — YouTuber
• Philippou brothers — Filmmakers
• Sidney Lumet — Director
• Arthur Penn — Director
• John Frankenheimer — Director
• Steven Spielberg — Director
• Ridley Scott — Director
• David Fincher — Director
• 4chan — Imageboard
• Bram Stoker — Author
• Chiwetel Ejiofor — Actor
• Renate Reinsve — Actor