‘Backrooms’ Review: Turns Internet Horror Into Existential Dread

Backrooms is based on a creepypasta (a fictional horror legend of sorts that is repeatedly reposted word for word on the internet) posted on 4chan around 2011. The backrooms concept is a viral internet tale made popular in 2019 with the help of Kane Parsons for its atmospheric dread and use of ‘liminal spaces’. Parsons became recognized for the backrooms when he expanded on the lore and made an internet series that revived the concept. Now this concept is coming to the big screen with Kane Parsons in the directors chair. Backrooms follows a down-on-his-luck furniture salesman who finds a secret doorway that takes him to a whole other world. Read our full review for Backrooms below. 

I am going to be honest, this review is coming from someone who knows absolutely nothing about the backrooms and its online lore. I had not even heard of the concept until the movie was announced. So needless to say, I had no expectations or preconceived notions of this concept or Kane Parsons before seeing Backrooms. I was blown away. Maybe it was the fact that I knew nothing about this or just how undeniably fascinating this concept is, but I was engrossed entirely by this film. Backrooms is a genuinely eerie adventure into the unknown that had me on the edge of my seat. So many details and layers that made this enjoyable to watch and think about afterward. I can see some audiences finding the pacing a little on the slower side, but for my personal preference, I like the building of tension through a slower burn. Yet, you get a lot of time in the backrooms and are taken on a wild ride. I had no clue what would happen next, which made it riveting. I cannot say how a previous fan of the backrooms concept will feel, but if you are iffy about going to see the film because of your lack of prior knowledge I can say you won’t get left behind. Backrooms is accessible, yet challenging. 

The most captivating aspect of Backrooms was the two lead characters and how they interact with this place. Chiwetel Ejiofor specifically gave me so much to think about even after the film was over. I read his character as a reflection on some people’s need to recognize flaws by living in a monotony of naivete. His character really mirrored the backrooms and its ideology of being this flawed place that doesn’t make sense and rather just is. The reason he wants to stay there is because he doesn’t want to take accountability for the mistakes he’s made and feels comfortable in a place where the flaws make it what it is. He seemed to want to live in a place where no one could pin him down because being examined and understood is scarier than just existing in a delusional state. With his character they turned a basic horror set up into a more interesting immersion into the character’s inner struggles and a reflection of the internal conflict. Renate Reinsve’s character acts as a foil to Ejiofor. Her backstory explains why she believes you can not live in disillusionment, based on her relationship with her mother. She understands that not recognizing your issues or flaws digs you deeper into a hole. Making their respective goals of wanting to stay or leave make so much sense. It made the backrooms more than just a setting but a place where the characters were informed by it or changed in it. 

With that, the performances are excellent. When the cast was initially announced it actually made this a must watch without even knowing the concept. Renate Reinsve, just coming off the heels of her first Oscar nomination, is one of those actresses that makes what she does look so easy. She is a natural talent and seeing her occupy a role like this was a joy. She proved her versatility with ease and really surprised me. Chiwetel Ejiofor is an actor who you have definitely seen before, but he does not get a lot of leading roles. After 12 Years a Slave, it was so clear to critics and moviegoers that he could command the screen. I am so happy that he was given the chance to helm this film that is sure to be a hit. He is such an expressive actor and he handles every change of his character in such an interesting way. Ejiofor always delivers and Backrooms is no exception.  

There was obviously a lot of forethought and care put into every aspect of this film. From a crafts standpoint it is just so fun and interesting. The production design, as expected, is insane and vast. The cinematography by Jeremy Cox was one of the main highlights for me. There are many strong visual choices, even outside of the scenes set in the backrooms. It also felt unique and added to the visual language of the film. Every aspect of the film works in tandem to make the entirety of Backrooms feel singular and like a strong new voice in horror. All that to be said Kane Parsons has positioned himself as someone to look out for. Though I think the real test of his talent will be what he does next, but that does not discount any of what he is doing here. I was so pleasantly surprised by this film and am happy to report it is one of the strongest horror films of the year. 

Backrooms was directed by Kane Parsons and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell, and Robert Bobroczkyi. The film was released on May 29.

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