Backrooms Director Supports Creators in Dispute With A24

The Backrooms has always been a fascinating example of how internet folklore transitions to the big screen. Originating from an anonymous 4chan post in 2019, it evolved into a vast, community-driven horror mythology long before any studio took notice, making the current controversy particularly impactful.

Kane Parsons, the creator whose viral YouTube series popularized the concept, has watched his passion project transform into a box office success. His feature adaptation for A24 marked the studio’s largest opening ever, making him the youngest director to achieve such a milestone.

However, this success seems to be causing tension with the very community that nurtured the Backrooms. A Reddit post shared in the r slash backrooms community accused A24 of having a piece of fan-made artwork removed from Redbubble, claiming it was a recreation of the original 2019 image that sparked the entire Backrooms phenomenon.

The artist behind the post, known as GnarlyNet, stated that their work was unrelated to A24’s film or its official merchandise. They expressed disappointment that a studio would take action against independent creators inspired by the same internet culture that has benefited the company. They argued that owning the rights to a specific film adaptation should not equate to ownership over a community-driven concept.

Parsons responded directly in the thread, indicating he was investigating the situation and that it should not be occurring. He later clarified in another Reddit comment that he had contested the removal on the artist’s behalf, explaining that the artwork was inspired by the original 2019 Backrooms image rather than anything associated with A24’s film or merchandise.

The story gained traction online, with reports suggesting that the issue might not be limited to a single Redbubble listing. One account tracking Backrooms-related news noted that the problem could extend beyond that platform, raising concerns about whether YouTube creators might face similar actions next.

A24 has since provided an explanation for the incident. A source who spoke with ScreenCrush stated that the takedown request submitted to Redbubble was initiated by an automated system rather than a deliberate action from the studio, and the claim has since been withdrawn.

Regardless of whether it was automated, this incident has sparked a larger discussion about the implications of major studios adapting internet-born concepts that were never owned by a single creator. This situation echoes a similar controversy involving ‘Skibidi Toilet’, where creator Alexey Gerasimov partnered with Michael Bay’s Invisible Narratives to expand the universe into film and television, only to face accusations of being sidelined, along with reports of a copyright strike against the game modding tool Garry’s Mod.

For now, the Backrooms community seems to have a supporter in Parsons, who has made it clear he is willing to advocate for the fans and independent artists who played a crucial role in transforming his original short film into a worldwide sensation.

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