Backrooms review by Bobby Blakey
Back in 2011 a picture of a room appeared on creepypasta and set off a wave of posts and comments about the rooms it depicts. In 2022 YouTuber Kane Parsons took the image concept and created a series of Backrooms short films that exploded online. Now Parsons is bringing the idea to the big screen with a film adaptation of the same idea aptly titled Backrooms, but does it capture the same creepy essence and scares, or will it get lost in itself?
Backrooms follow a therapist who must venture into the unknown to save a patient after they disappear into a dimension beyond reality. This new adaptation stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell.
The trailers for this film were very vague and engaging, making telling you very little but making you want to know more. At the time I was unaware of the bigger concept that sparked its inception so had zero knowledge of the bigger world. That helped heading in as every turn and moment is unexpected and compelling, but also one that is a tough sell to a mainstream audience. You do not need to have seen or know anything about the original shorts to see the film and might be better if you didn’t so you can see it with fresh eyes.
The film is considered in the horror genre, but outside of some jump scares here and there it’s not pushing the scary narrative, but instead something much deeper. This film falls into the smart horror category with it delving into unexpected places and little to no explanation and instead leaves elements up to the viewer depending on how you view the film. It is a slow burn that allows itself time to set the tone and use tension to keep the viewer invested as opposed to trying to force the idea and scares.
I found myself fully enthralled in these characters, even more so once we step into the backrooms. The visuals are so simplistic and often mundane, but striking and creative to create something new yet familiar while never fully giving you any answers. Every turn is something more compelling and confusing in the best way possible. As it gets deeper, they get stranger and sometimes more vibrant which just adds to the confusion. When we finally get some sort of answer, which isn’t much or necessary, this scenery starts to create thoughts in your own psyche into what you think maybe going on here.
This is a hard film to review as you don’t want to give anything away nor are you likely too thanks to the way it’s crafted. It’s a mystery in itself that makes for something that some might find brilliant and others hate altogether. My own thoughts of the outcome differ from what the Mrs. thought about it and yet we were also in the same mindset which further strengthens the power of thought-provoking storytelling.
Whether you enjoy the film or not, director Kane Parsons has showcased a unique vision and clear brilliance in storytelling. I cannot wait to see what else he comes up with and hope he keeps pushing his own vision without compromise because it has created something original and special here. Don’t take my word that this is a great film because your own thoughts will take you to a different place here and wherever they take you is valid but just let it take you there without any attempt to make it something you want it to be.
Decide for yourself and step into the Backrooms in theaters now from A24.