Steven Spielberg cheers Obsession, Backrooms for low-budget wins

Steven Spielberg has praised the box-office success of indie horror films Obsession and Backrooms, applauding their young filmmakers for achieving impressive results.

In Short

• Spielberg spoke to Deadline during the press tour for Disclosure Day
• He said Obsession was made for under USD 1 million
• The director has watched Obsession already but still plans Backrooms viewing

Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg has praised the box-office success of indie horror films Obsession and Backrooms. He applauded the young filmmakers behind the projects for achieving major success on modest budgets. Speaking during the press tour for his upcoming film Disclosure Day, Spielberg described the performance of both horror titles as "fantastic."

The acclaimed director shared his thoughts while speaking to Deadline at a screening of Disclosure Day. Expressing his admiration for the films, Spielberg said, "I just applaud them."

He continued, “I'm so happy for them. I think it's so fantastic,” while discussing the response that both films have received from audiences and at the box office.

A two-time Academy Award winner for Best Director and the filmmaker behind classics such as Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Spielberg noted that he has already watched Obsession but is yet to see Backrooms.

“I think it's great that they had basically very little money, especially Obsession had under USD 1 million, and the other film had maybe 10 or nine, and they're doing so well, and I just applaud them. I haven't seen Backrooms; I am going to see it when all this is over. But I have seen Obsession, and I loved it,” he added.

Obsession was directed by 26-year-old filmmaker Curry Barker. The psychological horror thriller stars Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless and Andy Richter.

Meanwhile, Backrooms comes from 20-year-old filmmaker, musician and YouTuber Kane Parsons. The psychological horror film features an ensemble cast including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell, Avan Jogia, Robert Bobroczkyi and Krista Kosonen.

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