Backrooms Director Praises Valve’s Integrity

Kane Parsons, the director of Backrooms, praises Valve for their integrity and creative philosophy.

Kane Parsons, the director of the successful movie Backrooms, has expressed admiration for game developer Valve and their approach to project selection. Parsons highlighted Valve's integrity in only pursuing projects with meaningful reasons driving them, similar to his own creative philosophy. He commended Valve for their unique take on sequels, citing examples like Half-Life: Alyx for virtual reality, a move that surprised many but was well-received. Parsons also hinted at potential future projects, including the possibility of venturing into the realm of video games.

Parsons emphasized his preference for original storytelling over working on established intellectual properties, with a few exceptions from the early 2000s that hold personal significance for him. While declining to disclose specific franchises, Parsons teased that progress might already be underway. He expressed disinterest in tackling major franchises like Star Wars or Star Trek, opting to focus on narratives that resonate deeply with his own life experiences.

Notably, Parsons revealed that the creaking door sound in Backrooms was borrowed from Valve, and he credited the Portal series as a significant creative influence. The film, which premiered on May 29, has achieved remarkable global success, grossing $135 million worldwide against a $10 million budget. Backrooms features acclaimed actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve as they navigate liminal spaces within a furniture store, based on Parson's web series inspired by a 4chan creepypasta thread.