Overview
- Nolan publicly praised the breakout films Obsession and Backrooms and their young directors, remarks that were reported across outlets on July 10–11.
- Both films translated tiny budgets into huge grosses, with Obsession reported to have earned more than $400 million on roughly $750,000 and Backrooms topping $350 million globally.
- Nolan argued that younger audiences are rejecting obvious generative‑AI work, calling their response to what he called “AI slop” immediate and harsh and praising practical, handmade effects.
- Steven Spielberg also praised the young filmmakers, and Nolan is tying these endorsements to the theatrical model for his IMAX film The Odyssey, which opens July 17.
- Industry watchers say the run of these grassroots hits could prompt studios to reconsider funding and marketing for riskier, less virtual projects and to pay more attention to filmmakers who build audiences outside the traditional system.