A24 has produced a horror film titled "The Backrooms" that translates a viral internet concept into a physical cinematic environment.
The project marks a transition from digital folklore to mainstream cinema, exploring the collective psychological fear of liminal spaces, transitional areas that feel eerie or unnatural.
Kane Parsons, who was 20 years old when directing the film [2], led the creative vision to bring the internet-originated meme to life. The production features Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve in starring roles.
To achieve the specific look of the infamous liminal space, production designer Danny Vermette utilized a combination of tunnels and musty props. The scale of the set was significant, requiring approximately 37,000 square feet of wallpaper to cover the walls [1].
The design focuses on the unsettling nature of the "Backrooms," a conceptual endless maze of office-like rooms. By using physical sets rather than relying solely on digital effects, the production aimed to capture the tactile, claustrophobic feeling described in the original online stories.
While reports on the specific release timing have varied between sources, the production represents a high-budget effort by A24 to capitalize on the "creepypasta" aesthetic that has dominated internet horror culture for years.
“The project marks a transition from digital folklore to mainstream cinema.”
The adaptation of 'The Backrooms' reflects a growing trend of studios sourcing intellectual property from internet subcultures and collaborative digital storytelling. By investing in massive physical sets to replicate a digital aesthetic, A24 is betting that the psychological appeal of 'liminal spaces' can translate into a commercially viable cinematic experience.
