Neon Boss Tom Quinn Hails Success Of ‘Backrooms,’ Saying It Shows Young People Are “Willing To Walk Away From Phones” — SXSW London
Neon CEO Tom Quinn has heralded the success of Backrooms and Obsession, saying the films show “there’s a younger generation here that’s willing to walk away from their phone.” Quinn said the box offi…
Neon CEO Tom Quinn has heralded the success of Backrooms and Obsession, saying the films show “there’s a younger generation here that’s willing to wal
Read Full Story at Deadline Hollywood →Why This Matters
Tom Quinn’s remarks at SXSW London signal a potential shift in consumer behavior, suggesting that Gen Z and younger millennials may be prioritizing immersive, screen-free entertainment over passive digital consumption. This could force Hollywood to rethink its traditional reliance on franchise-driven, mobile-centric marketing strategies, especially as streaming fatigue sets in.
Background Context
Neon’s rise mirrors broader industry anxieties about audience fragmentation and the declining efficacy of social media-driven promotions. Recent box office trends show that mid-budget horror and thriller films—once considered risky—are now outperforming expectations, while studio tentpoles struggle to sustain momentum beyond opening weekends.
What Happens Next
The success of films like *Backrooms* could accelerate investment in low-cost, high-impact genre cinema, bypassing the traditional studio machine. However, it remains unclear whether this trend reflects a lasting cultural shift or a temporary reaction to oversaturation. Expect studios to test the limits of this appetite with more experimental, non-franchise releases.
Bigger Picture
This moment reflects a broader tension between algorithm-driven content and the human desire for tangible, communal experiences. If sustained, it could redraw the boundaries between cinema and digital entertainment, redefining how young audiences define "going out" in an era of on-demand everything.
