ANALOGUE EVIL: WHY TODAY’S HORROR FILM-MAKERS ARE OBSESSED WITH OBSOLETE TECH

According to Culture | The Guardian, the indie‑horror movies *Obsession* (directed by Curry Barker) and *Backrooms* (directed by Kane Parsons) opened this summer’s film season to record grosses of hundreds of millions, despite being produced on comparatively minuscule budgets.

Both films were made by Gen Z directors who first rose to prominence on YouTube, and each relies heavily on analogue, retro production design. In *Obsession*, Bear and Nikki work at a mom‑and‑pop music store, drive a vintage station wagon, and the plot centres on a kitschy, old‑fashioned gag gift. *Backrooms* features Mary hawking cassette‑tape self‑help programs on late‑night infomercials, Clark adjusting a fuzzy TV, and a carpeted, ceiling‑tile office‑style backroom that looks like a long‑abandoned office park. The Guardian notes that this nostalgic aesthetic has struck a chord with younger moviegoers.

The trend shows a growing appetite among contemporary horror filmmakers for tangible, bygone textures that create a distinct sense of unease, moving away from minimalist digital‑only productions.

• *Obsession* and *Backrooms* each grossed hundreds of millions on tiny budgets;
• both films are directed by Gen Z YouTube creators who employ vintage props and retro settings;
• their analogue aesthetic has resonated with younger audiences, driving box‑office success.

Read the original source for full detail available at Culture | The Guardian src