Glitch in the Matrix? Six Trippy Horror Flicks to Tide You Over Until A24's Backrooms Drops
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Can't wait for A24's *Backrooms* movie? This article, inspired by Ryan Epps' list on Polygon.com, dives into six trippy horror films that capture the same unsettling, liminal dread to tide you over until May 2026.
Right, so you know how some ideas just *happen*? Like a rogue spell that accidentally opens a portal to another dimension? That's kinda what the 'Backrooms' phenomenon feels like. It started as a blink-and-you'll-miss-it 4chan post, morphed into a mountain of creepypastas, spawned a gazillion YouTube shorts (some of 'em genuinely chilling, fair dinkum), and now – bless their indie-horror-loving hearts – A24 is giving it the big-screen treatment.
The first trailer for A24’s *Backrooms* dropped like a critical hit to our sanity meters, offering a terrifying sneak peek into the maze-like, yellow-wallpaper-laden labyrinth. It perfectly evokes the spirit of the original internet legend with an eerie precision that makes you wanna both run for the hills and explore every unsettling corner. If you're anything like me, you’re already itching to no-clip through reality and explore it yourself.
But here's the rub: *Backrooms* doesn't hit cinemas until May 29, 2026. That's a bloody long wait to get your fix of liminal dread! So, while we're all patiently (or not-so-patiently) waiting, I’ve been tinkering with some intel. A brilliant list of suggestions cooked up by Ryan Epps over at Polygon.com caught my eye, providing a solid roadmap to some truly mind-bending flicks that'll get you in prime condition for the ultimate unsettling experience. Seriously, Ryan's full list is a cracker, so check out the original article on Polygon.com after you're done here!
Let's be real, the Backrooms is a deliciously simple, yet profoundly disturbing concept. An endless maze of fluorescent-lit offices, that constant, percussive hum of the overhead lights slowly bleeding your sanity dry, the feeling of being *just* outside reality. It’s the ultimate 'IKEA of your nightmares,' where every hallway looks familiar yet completely wrong. It's the kind of environmental storytelling that games thrive on, taking something mundane and twisting it into cosmic horror. A true masterclass in 'less is more' dread. And A24? They've clearly captured that unsettling, 'you are not meant to be here' vibe in the trailer. May 29, 2026, feels ages away, doesn't it?
So, if you’re like me and can’t wait to get gloriously lost in the liminal embrace of the unknown, here are six movies that match those eerie, purgatory vibes. That is, if you dare to see what's just outside the bounds of reality (and perhaps your loading screens).
### 1. Exit 8 (2025)
First up, and probably the closest you'll get to a digital doppelgänger of the Backrooms experience, is *Exit 8*. This 2025 Japanese film actually *adapts a video game* of the same name! How cool is that for us gamers? It follows a young bloke as he gets lost – or rather, *trapped* – in the twisting, enamel-white halls of a Tokyo subway station. It absolutely nails that 'grounded in reality but oh-so-wrong' vibe, like when a game level glitches but not in a fun way – more in a 'I’m never getting out of this instance' kind of way.
*Exit 8* manages to pack a surprising emotional punch for a flick about eternal public transport. It’s a genuine bit of Japanese horror that many will appreciate. Fair dinkum, if you dig the 'what if my spawn point is actually a trap' kind of horror, *Exit 8* is your express ticket.
### 2. The Void (2016)
Next, we’re diving into *The Void* (2016). Now, don’t let any IMDb ratings fool you, mate, this film is a proper trip. Imagine a rural hospital suddenly surrounded by hooded cultists wearing white robes, and then things get *really* weird inside. It’s not *Event Horizon*, but it certainly captures that same 'reality is unraveling, and these hallways are twisting' feel that the Backrooms excels at. You know, like when a game server starts melting down and all the textures go wonky, but it’s *intentional*? This one leans hard into cosmic and folk horror, making you constantly question what the hell is actually going on.
The sense of depravity and the lingering question of 'what the actual f—' makes *The Void* an enticing watch, especially for cosmic horror buffs. And the ending? Bloody hell, it's a mind-bender. Definitely for those who appreciate their terror with a side of existential dread.
### 3. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Right, let's talk about a classic that probably paved the way for internet phenomena like the Backrooms: *The Blair Witch Project* (1999). Nearing its 30th anniversary, this found-footage pioneer basically invented viral marketing before 'viral' was even a thing on TikTok. People genuinely believed that missing footage was real, thanks to a clever marketing campaign with 'missing' posters! It's like the ultimate ARG (Alternate Reality Game) wrapped in a horror flick.
While the camcorder aesthetic might feel a bit dated now, the sheer sense of being lost, disoriented, and hunted by unseen forces in an endless forest? That's pure Backrooms energy. It proves that sometimes, the scariest monster is the one you *don't* see, much like the unseen entities lurking just outside your peripheral vision in those yellow hallways.
### 4. Vivarium (2019)
Then we’ve got *Vivarium* (2019). Hands down, one of the most bizarre films I’ve ever seen – and that’s saying something, coming from someone who once accidentally turned a badger into a sentient teacup. Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots get trapped in a perfectly artificial, utterly lifeless suburban maze called Yonder. Think of it as a procedurally generated level that just keeps spawning the same bland, empty houses, with no exit in sight.
It’s like a sandbox game where the walls are actually an illusion, and the dev has just forgotten to add an escape key. The surreal artificiality and inescapable feeling of being caught in an endless loop are a perfect match for those who enjoy the specific flavour of dread that the Backrooms promises. It’s a level designer's fever dream, gone horribly wrong.
### 5. Coherence (2013)
Ever wondered what would happen if a dinner party took a sharp turn into quantum mechanics? That's *Coherence* (2013) for you. Set during a comet flyby, eight friends quickly discover their reality is fragmenting, leading to some truly mind-bending existential questions. It's like playing a co-op game where everyone suddenly has different saves, or you encounter a glitch that makes you meet an alternate version of yourself – and then things get *really* awkward.
While the acting might not always be Oscar-worthy, the premise is pure gold. It makes you think about player choices, branching narratives, and the terrifying idea that maybe, just maybe, your own choices in a parallel universe might be coming to collect. The ordinary made irrevocably different by forces outside our control? Sound familiar?
### 6. Identity (2003)
And finally, let's wrap this up with *Identity* (2003). I almost went with *1408* because, fair enough, haunted hotels are peak liminal space. But *Identity* offers something a bit more deliciously twisted. A storm traps ten strangers in a remote Nevada motel, and then they start getting picked off one by one. It’s a classic whodunit, but with a surreal, psychological twist that unravels everything you thought you knew.
It feels like being stuck in a lobby instance in an MMO that’s suddenly gone rogue, filled with dodgy players, and the admins are nowhere to be found. The star-studded cast is great, but it’s that incredible twist ending that’ll stick with you. It’s a fantastic psychological mystery that’ll keep you guessing, much like trying to figure out the lore of some obscure, community-driven game with hidden secrets.
So there you have it, mate. Six absolutely crackers films to feast your eyes on while we collectively no-clip our way through time to May 29th, 2026. Whether you're into cosmic horror, found footage, or just a good old existential crisis, these flicks should scratch that 'liminal space' itch and get you in prime mental condition for A24's *Backrooms*. Just try not to stare into any suspiciously yellow-wallpapered hallways for too long, eh? You never know what might be staring back. Now, if you'll excuse me, I hear a faint humming... and I think it's coming from my server room.
Tags: horror games, liminal spaces, psychological horror, found footage, game adaptations
Original article: Polygon