The film "Backrooms," starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, has sparked critical debate over whether its plot gaps are intentional mysteries [1].

This division highlights a tension in modern horror cinema between using ambiguity to create atmosphere and failing to provide a cohesive story. Because the film is based on an internet phenomenon centered on "liminal spaces," the narrative structure is central to its reception.

Directed by Kane Parsons, the movie was released in U.S. theaters by distributor A24 earlier in 2024 [1, 3]. Parsons is 20 years old and is breaking box-office records with the production [4]. The film was produced by James Wan and Osgood Perkins [1].

Critics are split on the execution of the screenplay. Some argue that the ambiguous storytelling is a deliberate choice designed to evoke the liminal horror of the Backrooms concept [2, 5]. Yahoo Entertainment said a concept like the Backrooms thrives on mystery, which informs how the narrative is built [2].

Other reviewers find the approach lacking. The Hollywood Reporter said the film is creepy but underbaked, suggesting that the gaps in the story are narrative inconsistencies rather than purposeful choices [1, 5]. This suggests a conflict between the film's atmospheric success and its structural development.

The debate centers on whether the disorientation felt by the audience is a tool for immersion or a symptom of an underdeveloped script. While the film has achieved commercial success, the critical consensus remains elusive regarding its storytelling quality.

“The film is creepy but underbaked.”

The polarizing reaction to "Backrooms" reflects the difficulty of adapting internet-born 'creepypasta' and conceptual memes into traditional three-act cinematic structures. By prioritizing the feeling of a liminal space over a tight plot, the film risks alienating viewers who expect narrative resolution, even as it attracts those seeking an experimental horror experience.