Backrooms and Obsession: How two low-budget horror films caused a Hollywood earthquake

George Jiglea

The last few weeks have been an extraordinary time for cinema – with a pair of indie horrors by Gen Z directors making massive profits, while traditional blockbusters have flopped. It could be the start of a new era. Which film would you expect to be a summer hit – a family-friendly action-adventure which is based on tried-and-tested IP (intellectual property)? Or a creepy low-budget horror film dreamt up by a first-time director? Until very recently, most of us would have put our money on the