Wheatley Says Young Filmmakers Have New Paths to Success
7 reported
Director Ben Wheatley, known for films including "Bulk" and "Meg 2," stated at the Transilvania Intl. Film Festival that it is "a great time to be a young filmmaker." He pointed to the box-office success of "Backrooms" and "Obsession" as evidence that emerging directors are finding new ways to reach audiences. Wheatley, who was 37 when he released his feature debut "Down Terrace," joked that he is "a really bad advert" for making it in the industry. He praised the "democratization" of moviemaking through technologies like YouTube, noting that 21-year-old Kane Parsons ("Backrooms") and 26-year-old Curry Barker ("Obsession") went from viral online creators to box-office sensations. However, Wheatley cautioned that distribution has not advanced alongside technology, stating that the industry still uses a distribution system from 20 years ago. He also discussed his experience directing the 2023 Warner Bros. blockbuster "The Meg 2: The Trench," noting that larger budgets mean less creative freedom and a greater responsibility to recoup costs.
What’s reported
Ben Wheatley appeared at the Transilvania Intl. Film Festival to promote his 2025 psychological thriller "Bulk."
Wheatley was 37 when he released his feature debut "Down Terrace," which he shot in eight days for £6,000.
He cited 21-year-old Kane Parsons ("Backrooms") and 26-year-old Curry Barker ("Obsession") as examples of young directors who succeeded via online platforms.
Wheatley said "as much as the technology has advanced, the distribution has not," calling it a system from 20 years ago.
"Bulk" premiered at the Edinburgh Film Festival's Midnight Madness strand in 2025.
"The Meg 2: The Trench" was widely panned by critics but earned nearly $400 million at the global box office.
Wheatley stated that with a larger budget, "you get to do much less than you want" and must appeal to a broader audience.
Key figures
Ben Wheatley, director of "Bulk," "Meg 2," and other films
Kane Parsons, 21-year-old director of "Backrooms"
Curry Barker, 26-year-old director of "Obsession"
Guy Lodge, Variety chief film critic
Owen Gleiberman, Variety critic
Sources: Variety
