Speaking on the Kyle Buchanan Show, actor Inde Navarrette shared her perspective on Generation Z's growing interest in cinema and the types of films that resonate with them, particularly following the summer successes of independent films like Backrooms and Obsession.
Navarrette, who starred in Curry Barker's Obsession, noted that the film's success, along with that of 21-year-old Kane Parson's Backrooms, highlights a trend among younger moviegoers: a desire for original stories and a willingness to see new talent take risks.
"I think Gen Z just wants to go to something that they don’t feel like they’re being sold," Navarrette stated. "I think that maybe we are tired constantly of having ads in movies or production placement and all of these things. We understand it’s fundamental, right? We grew up with commercials that are fun that we still quote... But we don’t want to be sold. We want original stories."
She elaborated that despite the prevalence of technology, audiences still seek human experiences. "I’m happy Obsession brought that to the table. We want originality and authenticity, and we want to feel," Navarrette continued.
These remarks coincide with a noticeable rise in the popularity of horror films and smaller-scale productions. The success of Backrooms has spurred industry interest in adapting internet-based intellectual properties for film, with projects based on The Mandela Catalogue, The SCP Foundation, and Siren Head reportedly in development.
Data from Fandango indicates that Gen Z constitutes the largest demographic of moviegoers, with 87% attending at least one film in the past year. This aligns with Navarrette's observations, as Variety noted her comments in relation to this trend. Jerramy Hainline, executive vice president at Fandango, commented that while some perceived Gen Z as less engaged with theatrical releases, their data suggests growing momentum, with a strong value placed on the communal aspect of the cinema experience.
Navarrette is set to appear as Rogue in Marvel's upcoming X-Men reboot. She has also expressed interest in voicing a character in a Resident Evil game and has studied anime such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer to improve her screenwriting skills.