At just 20 years old, Kane Parsons has accomplished what many aspiring filmmakers only dream of , becoming the youngest director ever backed by A24. The internet-born creator turned studio filmmaker is now steering one of the most anticipated horror releases of 2026, proving that viral creativity can translate into cinematic ambition.

Parsons first captured global attention through his eerie YouTube horror anthology The Backrooms, a glitchy, found-footage-inspired series that reimagined an internet urban legend into something hauntingly cinematic. With over 190 million views and a rapidly expanding fanbase, his leap from online shorts to a full-fledged studio production marks one of the most fascinating career transitions in modern horror.

And that viral nightmare is now becoming a full-scale theatrical horror event.

Born on June 18, 2005, Kane Parsons is a 20-year-old British-American filmmaker from Northern California who turned a teenage passion into a groundbreaking Hollywood career. Known online as Kane Pixels, he is largely self-taught in visual effects and directing, mastering tools like Blender and After Effects while still in high school.

Kane Parsons began experimenting with horror storytelling at just 16, quickly building a massive online following through his technical precision, eerie atmosphere, and perfectionist approach to filmmaking. Before long, his work caught the attention of industry heavyweights, leading him to become the youngest director ever hired by A24 at just 19, a rare achievement that highlights not only his talent but also his rapid evolution from internet creator to studio-backed filmmaker.

Kane Parsons rose to prominence in 2022 when he launched The Backrooms on YouTube. Drawing inspiration from the eerie internet myth of endless, maze-like yellow office corridors, Parsons transformed the concept into a chilling cinematic universe. His use of analog horror aesthetics, liminal spaces, distorted sound design, and minimalist storytelling made the series feel unsettlingly real, a digital-age evolution of found-footage horror.

His talent did not go unnoticed. In June 2025, A24 greenlit a feature-length adaptation of The Backrooms, officially making Parsons the studio’s youngest director. The film is produced by heavyweights, including James Wan (Atomic Monster), Shawn Levy (21 Laps), and Chernin Entertainment, an extraordinary vote of confidence in a filmmaker barely out of his teens.

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But Kane Parsons’ overnight success was years in the making.

Before Hollywood came calling, Kane Parsons was already experimenting with digital storytelling as a teenager. He reportedly connected with studio executives as early as 17, refining his vision while continuing to build his YouTube audience. Rather than abandoning his roots, he maintained an active online presence, releasing shorts like Oldest View that further showcased his knack for suspense and world-building.

The upcoming film adaptation of The Backrooms stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell, with a screenplay by Will Sik. A trailer dropped on February 24, 2026, building anticipation ahead of its theatrical release on May 29, 2026. For Parsons, this is not just a career milestone, it is proof that internet-born storytelling can redefine the future of horror cinema.

Kane Parsons represents a new generation of filmmakers who blur the line between online creativity and traditional cinema. His journey from viral YouTube creator to the youngest director in A24 history underscores how digital platforms are reshaping Hollywood’s talent pipeline. With The Backrooms set to hit theaters, Parsons is no longer just a promising young creator, he’s a serious force in modern horror.

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Are you excited to see how The Backrooms translates from YouTube horror to the big screen? Let us know in the comments!