A new thriller film titled "Backrooms" features a furniture store owner who discovers a portal to a mysterious realm in his basement [1, 2].
The project marks a cinematic exploration of liminal architecture, shifting the source of horror from traditional monsters to the physical layout of a building. By transforming a commercial space into a sinister antagonist, the film taps into the psychological unease associated with empty, transitional environments [1, 2].
Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Clark, an architect turned furniture store owner [1]. The plot centers on Clark's discovery of the Backrooms within the basement of his own showroom [1]. In the film, Clark said, "I found a place …" [1].
Renate Reinsve joins the cast as Dr. Mary Kline, a therapist [1]. The narrative focuses on the interaction between the characters and the surreal geometry of the portal's destination [1, 2].
The film draws inspiration from the concept of liminal spaces, areas that exist between a point of departure and a destination. By utilizing these architectural tropes, the movie aims to create a sense of disorientation and dread [1, 2].
“The building itself becomes a horror villain.”
The adaptation of 'Backrooms' reflects a growing trend in horror cinema that prioritizes atmospheric and psychological dread over jump scares. By centering the conflict on 'liminal spaces,' the film leverages a modern internet subculture focused on the uncanny nature of empty corporate or institutional architecture, effectively turning a physical setting into the primary antagonist.
