Conversation in Town Square

Whoa, cinephiles! This past weekend at the box office was absolutely wild, signaling a potential seismic shift in the industry! The horror film Backrooms, from YouTube creator Kane Parsons, absolutely exploded with an $81.5 million opening, making it A24's biggest debut *ever*! This low-budget sensation, alongside Curry Barker's Obsession, didn't just perform well; they pushed Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu down to third place in its second weekend. Talk about a plot twist! It's the first time since 1977 a Star Wars feature has been knocked out of the top spot after just one weekend. This phenomenon of internet-native filmmakers dominating the theatrical landscape is undeniable, with industry heavyweights like Jason Blum and James Wan taking notice. Does this signal a new era where viral internet concepts are the next big Hollywood goldmine, or is this a unique horror moment? Let me know your thoughts below!