Mark Duplass has pushed back hard against social media claims that 19-year-old Kane Parsons didn’t actually direct A24’s “Backrooms,” insisting Parsons was “100% in control” on set and was intensely prepared for the role.
The debate started online, and by the time it reached Mark Duplass, it had already turned into a direct challenge: did 19-year-old Kane Parsons really direct “Backrooms,” or was the feature “ghost directed” by an older producer?
Duplass stars in the film alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve. and he made it clear in an Instagram video that he wasn’t going to let the insinuation slide. “A lot of takes going around right now about whether Kane Parsons. at the tender age of 19. actually directed ‘Backrooms’ or whether it was more ghost directed by one of his more experienced producers. ” he said.
“I was there,” Duplass continued. He pointed to the reason he believes Parsons was even offered the opportunity. “I suspect one of the reasons I was hired was because I mentor a lot of young filmmakers. and they may have thought it was good to have someone there who’s sensitive to that. and I was prepared to help out.”.
But Duplass said his presence wasn’t the reason things ran the way they did. “And what happened was he didn’t need any of us. He was intensely prepared.”
The backlash Duplass addressed came after users began accusing Parsons of not being in control of his own feature debut. In one response circulating on X. one user wrote. “We all know Kane Parsons absolutely didn’t direct this movie. ” in reaction to discussions about “Backrooms” box office projections that are “currently in the neighborhood of $40-$50 million domestic.”.
Duplass responded swiftly to that kind of claim with a blunt question and a firm memory. “Hmmm, with all due respect I don’t remember seeing you on set,” he wrote. “When I was there, Kane was 100% in control. More so than many directors 3x his age.”
He also posted the same message on May 26, 2026, tagging the statement with his own handle: — Mark Duplass (@MarkDuplass) May 26, 2026.
The rumor gained traction in part because of how young Parsons is—and how rare it can feel for studios to hand over a major horror feature. Parsons was given “the keys to an A24 horror feature at just 19 years old. ” becoming the studio’s youngest director to date. and some social media users suggested there must have been heavy oversight behind the scenes.
Duplass pushed back on the premise that Parsons arrived empty-handed. “He spent the last five years of his life building out one of the most detailed mythologies I’ve ever been a part of,” Duplass said in his Instagram video.
He described Parsons as deeply involved long before A24 became involved. Parsons began uploading videos in 2022 about the liminal space creepy pasta phenomenon. using 3D software Blender and his YouTube channel Kane Pixels to develop the concept through found footage short films. Will Soodik wrote the screenplay for the film, based on Parsons’ work.
Duplass said Parsons’ preparation carried through the production itself. “Worked incredibly closely with his crew. particularly his DP and shot design. and was very sensitive and calm and smart in dealing with actors. ” he said. Then he turned the question back on the accusers. “So, for those of you who have all these thoughts, were you there?”.
For now, what’s clear is the timing: the film has moved from online arguments to real-world momentum, with “Backrooms” slated to release in theaters on Friday, May 29.
Mark Duplass Kane Parsons Backrooms A24 Chiwetel Ejiofor Renate Reinsve Instagram social media rumors box office projections Kane Pixels Blender