Producers Jason Blum and James Wan say recent horror releases reflect a resurgence of audience interest and a new wave of filmmakers. Speaking at a Produced by Conference event on the PGA panel at Universal Studios, they discussed their respective projects and the performance of current titles, including Blumhouse’s Obsession and the film Backrooms associated with Wan’s efforts. Both executives highlight what they describe as a “’70s” sensibility embodied by younger directors, pointing to Obsession director Curry Barker, 26, and Backrooms director Kane Parsons, 20, as examples of new talent connecting with theater audiences.
Blum and Wan also address broader industry concerns, with their comments framed around how the horror genre can help “save” the industry by drawing viewers back to theaters. They further discuss future ambitions for their companies, including plans for a Blumhouse-Atomic Monster venture and language about aiming to position horror as widely appealing, sometimes comparing its potential to a “Disney of horror.” The remarks emphasize momentum in genre filmmaking, youth-driven creative energy, and continued opportunities for filmmakers emerging from non-traditional pipelines such as YouTube.
