Backrooms horror film adapts viral internet meme for the big screen

The movie "Backrooms," released by A24, translates the 2019 4chan creepypasta about endless yellow, fluorescent-lit rooms into a horror feature. Directed by 20‑year‑old YouTuber‑turned‑filmmaker Kane Parsons, the film follows Chiwetel Ejiofor’s character, a struggling furniture salesperson who discovers an underground labyrinth beneath his store.

The story draws on the original meme’s description of stale carpet, buzzing lights, and endless corridors, presenting a surreal, liminal setting that reviewers compare to works like "Severance" and "The Chair Company." While the visual atmosphere receives praise, critics note that the plot and character development are thin, with the screenplay by Will Soodik and production by Osgood Perkins failing to fully capitalize on the concept’s potential.