Gen-Z Horror Wave: 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession' Break Box-Office Records, Spark Debate on a New Movement

Summary

Two low-budget horror films from under-30 filmmakers—'Backrooms' (a YouTube-originated analog horror about an infinite office space) and 'Obsession' (a romantic nightmare)—have broken box-office records, sparking debate about whether this signals a Gen-Z-driven horror renaissance or a fleeting trend. The article explores how these films leverage internet-native aesthetics, modest budgets, and a distinctly Gen-Z sensibility to challenge traditional Hollywood models, while questioning if this is the beginning of a new movement or the end of an era.