A New Take on Internet Horror
Internet horror stories often struggle to make their way into mainstream films. The unique energy of viral creepypastas is usually lost when they are adapted into big-budget movies with traditional storytelling. This is why the film ‘Backrooms’ stands out as a surprising success.
Embracing the Unsettling
Directed by Kane Parsons, ‘Backrooms’ doesn’t attempt to explain the mystery behind the infamous liminal nightmare. Instead, it embraces the discomfort that made the concept popular online in the first place. The film is one that lacks a lot of the typical horror elements but is still deeply unsettling and uncomfortable to watch. However, it leaves a strange haunting impression after it ends.
A Slow Burn That Works
The movie follows Clark, a struggling furniture owner who is already emotionally unstable before he discovers the never-ending labyrinth of the Complex behind the walls of his store. It starts as a curiosity and gradually becomes an obsession as he explores impossible rooms, abandoned furniture, flickering lights, and spaces that shift without logic. The film shows something that many contemporary horror movies don’t: fear doesn’t always have to come face-to-face with a monster.
Isolation Over Monsters
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its patience. As characters wander through expansive empty hallways and warped environments, Parsons allows the scenes to breathe. After a while, even regular rooms start to look wrong, creating a psychological impact. In contrast to traditional horror movies, ‘Backrooms’ doesn’t kill characters. Instead, they seem to be emotionally exhausted, as if the environment is studying them. There is a constant paranoia that permeates the atmosphere, even during moments of calm.
Visuals That Enhance the Experience
The film is also visually impressive. The grainy hand-held cinematography and realistic sets give the world a disturbingly realistic feel, as if someone had actually stumbled upon forbidden footage online. This authenticity is crucial for a concept that originated in internet folklore.
More Than Just Fear
The monsters are not the only isolating element in the backrooms. The film is actually about loneliness and emotional decay, wrapped in all the creepy imagery. Clark isn’t just navigating a supernatural maze; he’s running away from a life he can’t seem to mend. The endless looping spaces around him reflect his alcoholism, failed marriage, and inability to deal with reality.
Unlike many horror films today, ‘Backrooms’ works because it relies on atmosphere rather than chaos. It doesn’t constantly scream for attention. Instead, it quietly crawls under your skin.
