Backrooms Reactions Crown A24’s New Horror As A Genre Game-Changer

Every once in a while, a movie shows up with just enough internet history, online weirdness, and legit talent to get horror diehards and casual movie fans buzzing. That’s exactly what’s happened with Backrooms, the latest nightmare-fuel project from A24—yep, them again. The movie just had its world premiere, and if the early reactions are anything to go by, we're looking at one of the more original horror releases in years (and maybe a future darling on Rotten Tomatoes).

So, what are people actually saying?

Folks who caught Backrooms ahead of its May 29, 2026 opening are already flooding social media with their takes. The gist? This is not your typical jumpscare-a-thon. Instead, everyone seems stuck on the film’s atmosphere—the kind that crawls under your skin and sets up camp.

Here’s what stands out from the early buzz:

• 'Unnerving, atmospheric nightmare' – Expect a heavy dose of liminal, yellow-tinged visuals, lots of eerily empty rooms, and monster design that’ll have you double-checking your hallways at night.
• Standout performances – Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve are getting singled out in nearly every reaction. (No surprise to anyone who’s watched, well… anything they’ve ever been in.)
• Not for impatient viewers – A couple of commenters noted the movie drags at times. Consider it a slow burn rather than a roller coaster.
• Jaw-dropping set design – If you’re into production design, Danny Vermette apparently knocks it out of the park with the “freaky, beautiful” vibe.
• Lore for the fans – Good news for anyone obsessed with details: there are well-placed Easter eggs, and some major questions get answered right up front.

One especially bold claim: 'Scariest horror film in years. I assure you, nobody is ready for what’s coming.' If you want something that feels familiar and safe, maybe skip this one.

From 4chan to A24: How did we get here?

Backrooms doesn’t come out of nowhere. It started as a creepypasta—one of those freaky internet horror stories, originally posted on 4chan, about people slipping into a never-ending warren of brutally bland office rooms that shouldn’t exist. Picture endless beige carpeting and buzzing fluorescent lights, with a few monsters lurking in the corners just to keep things interesting. The concept exploded on Reddit, then jump-scared its way to TikTok, YouTube, and beyond.

Enter Kane Parsons. In 2022, he started cranking out Backrooms short films on YouTube. These went full viral and brought the uncanny-core aesthetic into the mainstream, even inspiring TV creators—Dan Erickson of Severance says he took some cues from the Backrooms vibe for his Apple TV+ dystopia.

Who’s making this thing?

The movie is Kane Parsons’s first feature film, and by all accounts he’s nailed the transition from viral web series to the big screen. He’s backed by a surprisingly stacked cast:

• Chiwetel Ejiofor
• Renate Reinsve
• Mark Duplass
• Finn Bennett
• Lucite Maxwell
• Avan Jogia

The script is from Will Soodik and Roberto Patino, and on the producing side, you’ve got genre king James Wan and Michael Clear for the Atomic Monster label. (If you spot any DNA from Saw or The Conjuring, that’s probably why.)

Is it worth the hype?

If you think modern horror is stuck playing the same notes, Backrooms might shake you out of your rut. Just don’t go in expecting eight jump scares a minute—this is all about tension, weird spaces, and a nagging sense of wrongness straight out of internet legend. Early reactions suggest this one’s got staying power, and I’ve got a feeling horror fans will be debating it long after opening weekend.

'A wholly unique and original horror film that freaks you out and creeps you out while luring you deeper into its eerie, liminal nightmare. The kind of movie that gets under your skin and stays there.'

You’ve been warned.