A24 Fans React to Backrooms Studio’s $75 Million Google AI Deal: ‘Membership Canceled’

A24, known for its unique and cult classic films like Backrooms, Uncut Gems, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Hereditary, has entered into a partnership with Google focused on artificial intelligence research. This move has left many fans of the studio feeling discontent, with numerous subscribers announcing their intention to cancel their AAA24 membership.

According to an exclusive report, Google is investing around $75 million into A24 through its parent company, Alphabet. This partnership will grant A24 access to Google DeepMind, the AI research lab acquired by Google in 2014.

The report indicates that Google’s AI technology will be utilized to develop new tools for movie production and distribution. A24’s Scott Belsky mentioned that the production team plans to use Google DeepMind primarily for storyboarding. However, he was quick to clarify that these storyboards will not resemble the AI-generated content that many find unsettling.

Belsky’s swift defense of the AI tools he plans to implement likely came in anticipation of the backlash that followed, as A24 fans took to social media to express their outrage. Platforms like X and Reddit have seen a flood of criticism directed at A24 for its collaboration with Google DeepMind. The r/A24 subreddit is particularly active, with numerous posts appearing in the last day from users announcing their cancellations of AAA24, a subscription service that offers perks like tickets to every A24 release.

While this reaction might seem surprising, A24 has been gradually exploring AI for some time. The AI-generated posters for Alex Garland’s Civil War in 2024 should have served as an early warning sign.

Given the overwhelmingly negative response to those posters, it’s hard to believe that A24’s leadership is unaware of their audience’s preferences. It feels as if they’re operating in a bubble, disconnected from the reality that their fanbase—comprised of film enthusiasts who cherish artistically driven projects—would likely reject such a direction. It’s akin to Bob Ross opting to have ChatGPT create a rainbow instead of painting it himself.