A24 is releasing a horror film titled “Backrooms” in spring 2026 [3], based on the viral internet creepypasta of the same name.

The project marks a significant transition of digital folklore into mainstream cinema, utilizing the concept of "liminal spaces" to create a feature-length psychological experience.

British YouTuber and filmmaker Kane Parsons directs the film. Parsons, who is 20 years old [2], originally gained prominence through his internet content related to the Backrooms mythos. The production stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, who navigate a massive, fluorescent-lit labyrinth designed to evoke the unsettling atmosphere of the original online stories.

To achieve the specific aesthetic of the liminal space, the production utilized a purpose-built set [1]. The set consists of 30,000 sq ft [1] of carpeted corridors, and chambers. This physical environment is designed to replicate the endless, repetitive nature of the fluorescent-lit hallways described in the internet lore.

The film aims to translate the popular internet myth into a cinematic experience by focusing on the disorientation and isolation inherent to the Backrooms concept. By building a massive physical set rather than relying solely on digital effects, the production seeks to ground the surreal nature of the creepypasta in a tangible reality.

While the film's plot remains closely guarded, the focus remains on the atmospheric horror of being trapped in an artificial, non-place. The collaboration between A24 and a young digital creator like Parsons reflects a growing trend of studios sourcing intellectual property from niche internet subcultures.

“A24 is releasing a horror film titled “Backrooms” in spring 2026”

The adaptation of the Backrooms signifies a shift in how horror intellectual property is developed, moving away from traditional literary sources toward community-generated internet myths. By empowering a young digital native like Kane Parsons to direct, A24 is betting that the specific visual language of 'liminal spaces'—which resonates deeply with Gen Z and Alpha online—can be successfully scaled for a global theatrical audience.