Inde Navarrette, star of the indie horror hit "Obsession," appeared on "The Kyle Buchanan Show" to discuss Gen Z's renewed theater-going habits. She said young audiences want original stories without constant ads and product placement, citing the breakout success of "Obsession" and "Backrooms." A Fandango study reported by Variety found Gen Z is the most active moviegoing demographic, with 87% seeing at least one film in theaters in a year, compared to 70% of Gen X and 58% of boomers.
"Obsession" became a word-of-mouth blockbuster, grossing $522 million globally on a budget under $1 million, while the YouTube-born "Backrooms" showed young audiences will turn out for original, internet-native storytelling. Navarrette argues Gen Z values authenticity and communal theater experiences over franchise repetition and corporate tie-ins.
Inde Navarrette did discuss Gen Z moviegoing on "The Kyle Buchanan Show," citing the success of "Obsession" and "Backrooms," and referencing Fandango data showing Gen Z is the most active moviegoing demographic (87% saw a movie in the past year).
LA horror movie made for under a million dollars just passed half a billion at the box office.
CObsession. I saw it twice. The second time the crowd was louder than the movie.
LAnd the star, Inde Navarrette, is out here explaining why Gen Z suddenly loves theaters again.
CShe was on The Kyle Buchanan Show, and her argument is pretty simple: young audiences want original stories.
LNot another franchise, not forty minutes of product placement. Just a good idea, well made.
CThe numbers back her up. Fandango says 87 percent of Gen Z saw a movie in theaters last year.
LCompare that to 70 percent of Gen X and 58 percent of boomers. Gen Z is carrying the whole thing.
CAnd it's not just Obsession. Backrooms came from a 21-year-old YouTuber, Kane Parsons.
LThat movie felt like a creepypasta you weren't supposed to find. People showed up because it felt dangerous.
CNavarrette's point is that young people can smell a corporate tie-in from the trailer.
LAnd she's right! I sat through a Marvel movie last month where a character literally paused to drink a branded soda.
CYou're still mad about the soda.
LI will never not be mad about the soda. It was a close-up! Of a can!
CBut here's my pushback. Obsession worked because it was great. Plenty of original movies flop.
LSure, but the lesson isn't 'make more originals.' It's 'trust young filmmakers with weird ideas.'
CThat's exactly what Hollywood is worst at. They'll learn the wrong lesson and make Obsession 2.
LObsession 2: More Obsessed. Coming 2028.
CDon't give them ideas. But the Fandango exec said Gen Z values the communal part of theaters.
LThat's the part I get. Watching a horror movie alone on your phone is not the same as screaming with strangers.
CAnd they're spending on concessions and Imax. Theaters need that money to survive.
LSo the kids are alright. They just want movies that feel like they were made by humans.
CSpeaking of humans, a BTS fan account is pushing a Billboard Korea vote for 'Come Over.'
LThe fan choice quarter crown. Voting closes October 25th, so the armies are mobilizing.
CI love how organized BTS fans are. It's like a well-oiled machine with a bias.
LAnd meanwhile, someone on X is selling VIP BTS tickets for Singapore. All dates, high price, full payment only.
CThat's a reseller. 'High price' is doing a lot of work in that post.
LI'd be careful with that one. If it's not through an official channel, you're gambling.
CDifferent world entirely: a first-time K-pop concertgoer posted she's excited for tonight.
LThat's the energy we need. First concert, no idea what to expect, probably already crying.
CI remember my first concert. I was so overwhelmed I forgot to take a single photo.
LHonestly? Better that way. You actually watched the show.
CAnd that's the whole point of what Navarrette was saying. Being there, in the room, with the music.
LFrom horror movies to K-pop, the kids want the real thing. Not the algorithm's version.