From Viral Creepypasta to A24: Why the Backrooms Movie is Hitting Different
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
A review of the new A24 Backrooms movie directed by Kane Parsons, exploring how the viral YouTube creepypasta successfully transitioned into a haunting, high-tier horror film without losing its digital roots.
Horror fans who missed the viral rise of the Backrooms creepypasta might wonder how a series of empty rooms with yellow wallpaper and fluorescent lighting could drive a feature film. As Tasha Robinson points out in her Polygon review, Kane Parsons answers that question with a tremendous shudder. Expanding his massive YouTube series, which started when he was in his mid-teens and pulled in tens of millions of views, Parsons and A24 have crafted something genuinely unnerving. In a cinematic landscape full of forgettable blockbusters, this movie leaves lingering shivers and ongoing anxieties for audiences tired of predictable slashers.
The film takes the original 4chan concept of a liminal space outside reality and builds a grounded, haunting narrative around it. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Clark, a struggling furniture store owner dealing with personal fallout who discovers a portal in his shop wall leading to the endless, buzzing labyrinth. Scripted by Will Soodik, the story brings in characters played by Lukita Maxwell, Finn Bennett, and Renate Reinsve as they get drawn into the obsession of exploring the uncanny space. It is a smart approach that balances deep character mystery with the terrifying unknown entity lurking in the architecture.
For anyone who spends half their time tracking creator culture and viral lore on YouTube, seeing a digital-first creator make the jump to a major studio release is a massive win. What makes this adaptation work is that it respects the internet origins of the project while delivering a complete narrative that stands on its own. Whether you are well-versed in the Async lore from the original shorts or walking in completely blind, the film proves that community-driven digital storytelling can translate into top-tier cinematic horror.
Tags: Movies, Horror, Streaming, Culture, Polygon
Original article: Polygon