A24 Releases First Trailer for Horror Film "Backrooms"

Studio A24 has published the first, dark teaser for the film "Backrooms". This is the long-awaited adaptation of an internet horror legend that originated on the YouTube platform. Its creator is Kane Parsons, who gained immense popularity as a teenager by creating a series of short films about mysterious, seemingly infinite office spaces. The concept of the "backrooms" or the "backstage" of the universe, which one can accidentally slip into, has achieved cult internet phenomenon status. The official transition of this viral creation to the big screen under the auspices of the prestigious A24 studio is considered a significant cultural moment. The concept of "backrooms" as an internet creepypasta emerged around 2019 on forums like 4chan, gaining mass popularity through short YouTube films that utilized a low-budget, yet highly suggestive found footage aesthetic. Similar motifs of infinite, surreal spaces have appeared earlier in literature, for example in 'House of Leaves' from 2000, and in video games of the 'walking simulator' genre. The first footage, though brief, effectively captures the paranoid and claustrophobic atmosphere of the original. Images of empty, brightly lit corridors lined with yellowish carpet and doors leading nowhere evoke unease through their apparent normality. The Gizmodo editorial noted that the trailer evokes associations with the groundbreaking horror novel by Mark Z. Danielewski, 'House of Leaves'. Both works operate on a similar sense of impossible, labyrinthine architecture that breaks the laws of physics and gradually destroys the characters' psyche. This comparison raises expectations regarding the project's artistic ambitions. The production is handled by A24, a studio with an established position in the world of auteur cinema and horror. The company is famous for works like 'Hereditary', 'Midsommar', and 'The Witch', which revolutionized contemporary horror by combining high production values with deep, often familial trauma. A24's involvement in the "Backrooms" project signals that this will not be a typical, commercial adaptation of an internet meme, but a film with artistic aspirations and the potential to surprise audiences. The Hollywood Reporter emphasizes that the project is one of the studio's most anticipated horror films on its calendar. „I never imagined that the weird little videos I made in my bedroom would lead to this. Seeing the Backrooms come to life with A24 is surreal.” — Kane Parsons Information is still lacking regarding the exact theatrical release date, the cast, and who will sit in the director's chair. However, it is known that the production is already in an advanced post-production stage, given that an official teaser has been published. Genre enthusiasts speculate that the premiere could occur in the second half of 2026, likely around Halloween. This event will be a test of whether a viral internet phenomenon can translate into commercial success and critical acclaim in the world of traditional cinema.