The horror film The Backrooms, based on the popular internet creepypasta, released in theaters on May 29, 2024 [1].
The project marks a significant transition of digital folklore into mainstream cinema. By adapting a community-driven internet myth, A24 explores the psychological concept of liminal spaces, the unsettling feeling of being trapped in an endless, repetitive maze.
Directed by Kane Parsons, the film features Renate Reinsve and Chiwetel Ejiofor in lead roles [2]. The production was backed by A24 [3] and produced by James Wan, Shawn Levy, and Osgood Perkins [2]. Parsons was 19 years old when he was first given the opportunity to direct the project [4].
The movie carries an R rating [5] and has a runtime of 105 minutes [6]. Its primary goal was to bring the unsettling atmosphere of the original web-based legend to the big screen, focusing on the dread associated with an infinite, empty environment [7].
Critical reception to the immersive experience has been divided. IGN said the film creates a horror experience that makes viewers feel trapped [8]. Conversely, AOL said the movie is an empty, unsettling experience with little beyond its production design [9].
Despite the differing views on its depth, the film remains a notable attempt to translate a non-linear internet phenomenon into a traditional narrative structure [10].
“The Backrooms creates an immersive horror experience that makes viewers feel trapped.”
The adaptation of The Backrooms represents a growing trend of studios mining 'creepypasta' and internet-native horror for cinematic content. While the mixed reviews suggest a tension between atmospheric production design and narrative substance, the film's existence highlights the influence of digital-first storytelling on modern studio priorities.
