A24 has released "Backrooms," a horror-science-fiction film directed by Kane Parsons and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor [1, 2].

The movie adapts a viral internet creepypasta into a cinematic experience. Its release marks a transition from digital folklore to a major studio production, testing whether the abstract nature of internet-born horror can translate to a traditional narrative structure.

The film is set within an endless maze of fluorescent-lit, yellow-walled rooms [3, 4]. This setting serves as the primary backdrop for a story that critics describe as absurd and confusing [3, 5]. The narrative relies on surreal scenes that often leave the audience uncertain about the plot's direction, or the meaning behind specific events [5].

Reviewers have noted that the film's atmosphere is its strongest asset. An IGN reviewer said, "The reputation of the Backrooms precedes it, and with good reason" [2]. However, the plot's lack of clarity has become a central point of discussion. MSN staff said the production was a "wild ride with some surreal scenes" [5].

Director Kane Parsons said that the current film is not intended to be a complete, self-contained story. He said "Backrooms is just 'the first part' of his story" [1]. This suggests that the narrative ambiguities present in the first film may be intentional design choices to facilitate a future sequel [1, 4].

By leaning into the confusing nature of the original source material, the film avoids a conventional plot in favor of a sensory experience. The production emphasizes the psychological toll of the environment—a void where the laws of physics and logic are frequently suspended [3, 4].

“Backrooms is just 'the first part' of his story”

The shift of the Backrooms from a community-driven internet myth to an A24 production signals a growing trend of studios mining 'liminal space' aesthetics for commercial horror. By framing the first film as a prologue, Parsons is attempting to build a cinematic universe based on an open-source concept, where the lack of narrative clarity serves as a hook for audience speculation and future installments.