Kane Parsons becomes the youngest film producer to open at No 1 in the US with Backrooms | Back rooms

Kane Parsons has become the last filmmaker to open the first film at the North American box office for his directorial debut. Back rooms.

Parsons, 20, is seven years younger than the previous record holder, Josh Trank, who was 27 History of the Chronicle recorded a $22m opening in 2011. Previous rooms surprised industry observers with taking $81m in the first weekend in North America – which was also a record for his studio, A24.

Back rooms, reported by the Guardian’s chief critic Peter Bradshaw as “a very interesting and disturbing film” came from the Parsons YouTube series of the same name, inspired by the “creepypasta” of the same name, which refers to the fantasy world of infinite, interconnected places.

Parsons’ age has led to online speculation that he did not direct the film, and actor Mark Duplass responds: “Mmmm, respectfully, I don’t remember seeing you right after you left. When I was there, Kane was 100% in control. More than most directors 3x his age.” Parsons also addressed the rumorssaying: “Of course it’s all true. They don’t tell you this, but 96 percent of all films released in North America and Europe are actually directed by the same person.” They call him ‘The Older Gentleman.

The box office success of Backrooms follows another low-budget horror film, Obsession, directed by Curry Barker. Barker, 26, is six years older; his film was released on May 15 with $17.1m opening weekend in North America, and now recorded $104.7m after four weeks.