Internet Meme “Backrooms” Transforms into Hollywood Horror Film
The eerie concept of the “Backrooms,” which originated as an internet meme, has been adapted into a Hollywood horror film titled Backrooms. The film is based on a popular YouTube mini-series created by Kane Parsons, who is now the youngest director signed by the studio A24. The movie explores the unsettling idea of endless, abandoned yellow corridors and rooms that evoke a sense of dread and isolation.
Why this matters
The adaptation of Backrooms marks a significant moment where internet-native horror content transitions from online platforms to mainstream cinema. It highlights how digital culture and viral concepts can influence Hollywood storytelling, especially by tapping into modern fears related to liminal spaces and mental health. The film also reflects a growing trend of studios seeking fresh voices and built-in audiences from internet creators.
Origins and Concept of the Backrooms
The Backrooms concept began in 2019 on the message board 4chan, where users were asked to share disquieting images that felt “off.” One anonymous post featured an image of an abandoned office space with mustard yellow wallpaper and fluorescent lighting, accompanied by a description of a place one might accidentally “noclip” into—a term borrowed from gaming meaning to glitch out of reality. This space was described as an endless maze of yellow rooms filled with the hum of fluorescent lights and the smell of old carpet, where unseen entities might lurk.
This unsettling idea quickly gained traction online, inspiring Kane Parsons, then 16 years old, to create a YouTube mini-series using CGI software Blender to bring the Backrooms to life. The series has since amassed over 200 million views, captivating a large audience with its minimalist yet terrifying portrayal of isolation and endless space.
Film Adaptation and Production
Hollywood studio A24, known for producing acclaimed horror films, enlisted Parsons to direct the film adaptation of his series. The movie was released recently and features a large physical set spanning 30,000 square feet, designed to replicate the eerie environments Parsons originally created digitally. This approach aims to give the film a tangible, immersive quality that distinguishes it from the YouTube series.
The screenplay, written by Will Soodik, uses the Backrooms as a metaphor to explore mental health themes. The story follows Clark, played by Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor, a furniture store salesman grappling with personal trauma after a divorce. Clark and his therapist, Mary (Renate Reinsve), find themselves trapped in the Backrooms, where the space begins to prey on their unresolved emotional struggles.
Psychological and Cultural Context
The Backrooms taps into a specific fear of liminal spaces—transitional areas like hallways and doorways that can confuse the brain and evoke unease. Neuroscience and architecture expert Meredith Banasiak explains that these spaces can disrupt memory and perception, making them challenging for trauma survivors.
The concept resonates deeply with younger generations, especially Gen Z, who engage with Backrooms-themed content on platforms like TikTok, Reddit, and gaming sites such as Steam and Roblox. The Backrooms subreddit alone has over 350,000 subscribers, and TikTok videos related to the concept have garnered more than 30 billion views.
Internet researcher Gunseli Yalcinkaya suggests that the Backrooms phenomenon reflects a broader cultural dissatisfaction among young people, who experience reality as increasingly mediated by screens and digital interactions, leading to a sense of “glitching” or unreality.
Market Impact and Reception
The online trailer for Backrooms quickly became one of A24’s most-viewed uploads, with 31 million views. Industry insiders are optimistic about the film’s box office performance, expecting it to surpass its $10 million budget. The film’s success could signal a shift in how studios approach horror by leveraging internet-originated stories and creators with established fanbases.
Executive producer Chris White discovered Parsons’ work through his son, illustrating how internet culture influences Hollywood talent scouting. Parsons’ experience on set was focused on the project rather than his youth, and he credits his obsessive dedication for overcoming any lack of experience.
What to watch
- Box office performance of Backrooms in the coming weeks.
- Further adaptations of internet-native horror content by major studios.
- Audience reception to the film’s exploration of mental health through horror.
- Continued growth of liminal space themes in popular culture and media.
Recommended reading
For more context, see related Peack News coverage and explainers linked below.
