Skonflix Overview & Editorial Review
Clark, a struggling furniture store owner in the 1990s, stumbles upon an eerie, endless maze of yellow carpeted hallways hidden beneath the basement of his shop. Distraught by marital strains and a failing business, Clark begins exploring these surreal liminal spaces with his therapist, Dr. Mary Kline, and two store employees, soon discovering that the distorted realm reflects repressed trauma, mental isolation, and forgotten baggage. However, as the team ventures deeper into the surreal dimensions of the maze, they are hunted by an unseen, territorial entity lurking within the halls, forcing Mary to confront her own family history to escape the terrifying space.
Directed and co scored by 19 year old viral sensation Kane Parsons in his feature directorial debut, Backrooms expands on his popular YouTube found footage short films inspired by the classic 4chan creepypasta internet lore. Produced by A24 alongside Atomic Monster, 21 Laps Entertainment, and James Wan, the film relies heavily on practical set builds, fish eye lenses, and eerie analog camera techniques rather than CGI to preserve the unsettling, nostalgic feel of liminal spaces. Screenwriter Will Soodik penned the script, while principal photography took place on location in Vancouver.
Following its premiere at the Aero Theatre, A24 gave Backrooms a wide theatrical release on May 29, 2026, where it became a massive box office hit, grossing over $395 million globally. Critics and moviegoers praised the film's tense atmospheric direction, psychological depth, and lead performances from Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, and Mark Duplass. The movie’s commercial success solidified Parsons as the youngest director in A24’s history, prompting the studio to release an extended cut titled Backrooms: Everything Must Go featuring additional lore and deleted scenes.