A24 has released a new teaser trailer for the upcoming horror film "Backrooms," based on the viral internet phenomenon [1, 2].
The film marks a significant transition for the "liminal-space" subgenre, moving a digital creepypasta from the confines of YouTube and online forums into a major cinematic production. By leveraging A24's reputation for psychological horror, the project seeks to translate a niche internet aesthetic into a broad theatrical experience.
Directed by Kane Parsons, the movie is based on the internet legend created by Parsons himself [1, 3]. The story originates from a "Creepypasta" legend created by a 20-year-old [6]. The teaser showcases a terrifying experience centered on an endless, maze-like dimension that taps into primal fears of being lost and unseen [1, 3, 5].
"A new trailer for A24's The Backrooms has arrived, and it's maybe even more terrifying," Yahoo Entertainment said [1]. The production utilizes found-footage elements to heighten the unsettling nature of the environment [1, 3, 5]. The visuals focus on the unsettling nature of empty, repetitive corridors, a hallmark of the liminal-space aesthetic, to create a sense of dread.
Digital Trends staff said A24 "pulled back the curtain to Backrooms, teasing an unsettling, must-see sci-fi horror movie" [5]. The film is slated for a theatrical release in the U.S. [1, 2].
Industry observers note that the film's horror stems from the subversion of familiar, mundane architecture. By turning office-like spaces into a nightmare, the film uses the concept of "liminality"—the feeling of being in a transitional space—to evoke anxiety [1, 4, 5]. The trailer emphasizes this atmosphere, focusing on the psychological toll of isolation within an infinite loop of yellow-walled rooms [1, 5].
“A new trailer for A24's The Backrooms has arrived, and it's maybe even more terrifying.”
The adaptation of 'The Backrooms' represents a growing trend of studios mining 'creepypasta' and user-generated internet lore for cinematic content. By partnering with the original creator, Kane Parsons, A24 is attempting to maintain the authenticity of the found-footage style that made the series a viral success while scaling the production for a global audience.
