A24's 'Backrooms' Trailer Teases Endless Fluorescent Nightmare

The horror movie, based on a creepypasta-inspired YouTube series, stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:51pm

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An extreme close-up of a melting mannequin face, captured in high-contrast lighting to create a surreal, unsettling glamour aesthetic that conceptually represents the unsettling visuals of the Backrooms horror film.The eerie, melting mannequin figures featured in the Backrooms trailer evoke a sense of unease and the uncanny within the film's liminal, fluorescent-lit spaces.Oshkosh Today

A24 has released the trailer for its upcoming horror film 'Backrooms,' which is based on a series of short films inspired by a popular creepypasta. The movie, directed by 20-year-old YouTuber Kane Parsons, follows a man who discovers a secret, seemingly endless space beyond the walls of a furniture store and assembles a team to explore the unsettling, fluorescent-lit hallways and rooms.

Why it matters

The concept of the 'Backrooms' originated from a 2019 post on 4chan, where a user shared a disquieting image of a yellow-tinged room, sparking the creation of a popular creepypasta. Parsons' YouTube series and the upcoming A24 film adaptation tap into the growing trend of horror filmmakers finding success by building on viral internet phenomena.

The details

In the 'Backrooms' trailer, the team of explorers discover odd occurrences, like mannequins seemingly melting into the floor, as they navigate the vast, empty spaces of the Backrooms. Set in the 1990s, the film is based on Parsons' fictional 'Async' research institute, which studies this mysterious alternate dimension.

  • The 'Backrooms' short films were launched on YouTube in 2022.
  • The 'Backrooms' feature film is set to be released in theaters on May 29, 2026.

The players

Kane Parsons

A 20-year-old YouTuber who directed the 'Backrooms' short films and is helming the feature film adaptation for A24.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

The acclaimed actor who stars in the 'Backrooms' film.

Renate Reinsve

The Norwegian actress who also stars in the 'Backrooms' film.

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The takeaway

The 'Backrooms' concept has resonated with horror fans online, and the upcoming A24 film adaptation taps into the growing trend of horror filmmakers finding success by building on viral internet phenomena. The unsettling, liminal spaces depicted in the trailer suggest the film will offer a chilling, atmospheric horror experience.