by ECI Released : 2026-06-01
Although Backrooms does not quite reach the same heights as Obsession, it is still one of the better-executed horror concepts of the last few years. Kane Parsons, making his feature directorial debut, takes an internet phenomenon that could easily have felt gimmicky or stretched thin and instead builds an unsettling, surprisingly character-driven horror film around it.
The movie is at its best when it embraces the simple terror of its central setting. Endless fluorescent corridors, malformed furniture, spaces that appear almost familiar but never quite correct, and the constant threat of something unseen create a persistent atmosphere of dread. Parsons shows admirable restraint, often allowing the strange architecture and sound design to generate more fear than traditional jump scares.
The performances also elevate the material considerably. Chiwetel Ejiofor is fantastic as Clark, convincingly portraying both his initial desperation and his gradual psychological deterioration as the Backrooms begin reshaping his perception of reality. Renate Reinsve is equally strong as Dr. Mary Kline, giving the film an emotional anchor and bringing real weight to the story’s themes of memory, trauma, failure, and self-deception. The supporting cast is excellent across the board, particularly Mark Duplass as the quietly unsettling Async researcher Phil.
The final act becomes increasingly surreal and occasionally sacrifices coherence for imagery, but the ambition mostly pays off. Backrooms is creepy, inventive, well acted, and remarkably assured for a rookie director.
