This article is about the film based on the web series. For the original creepypasta, see The Backrooms. For the original series, see Backrooms (web series).

Backrooms
A woman in front of a yellow chevron wall
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Kane Parsons
Written by Will Soodik
Based on
Backrooms
by Kane Parsons
Produced by
  • James Wan
  • Michael Clear
  • Roberto Patino
  • Shawn Levy
  • Dan Cohen
  • Dan Levine
  • Osgood Perkins
  • Chris Ferguson
  • Peter Chernin
  • Jenno Topping
  • Kori Adelson
Starring
  • Chiwetel Ejiofor
  • Renate Reinsve
  • Mark Duplass
  • Finn Bennett
  • Lukita Maxwell
Cinematography Jeremy Cox
Edited by Greg Ng
Music by
  • Edo Van Breemen
  • Kane Parsons
Production
companies
  • 21 Laps Entertainment
  • Atomic Monster
  • North Road Films
  • Phobos
Distributed by A24
Release date
  • May 29, 2026 (2026-05-29)
Running time
110 minutes[1]
Country United States
Language English
Budget <$10 million[2]

Backrooms is an upcoming American science fiction horror film[3] directed by Kane Parsons and written by Will Soodik.[4] It is based on Parsons' web series and inspired by the "Backrooms" creepypasta. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell.

Backrooms is scheduled to be released in theaters by A24 on May 29, 2026.

Premise

A therapist ventures into an otherworldly dimension in search of her missing patient, Clark.[5]

Cast

  • Chiwetel Ejiofor as Clark, a furniture store owner and failed architect[6][7][8]
  • Renate Reinsve as Dr. Mary Kline, Clark's therapist[9]
  • Mark Duplass[10]
  • Finn Bennett as Bobby[10][11]
  • Lukita Maxwell as Kat[10][11]
  • Avan Jogia[10]
  • Robert Bobroczkyi[12]

Production

Development

On January 7, 2022, Kane Parsons began uploading a video series titled Backrooms onto his YouTube channel Kane Pixels, the concept being based on the internet creepypasta of the same name.[13] In February 2023, a film adaptation was announced as a joint production between A24, Chernin Entertainment, Atomic Monster, and 21 Laps Entertainment, with Parsons directing, making it his feature-length directorial debut, and Roberto Patino writing.[14] Parsons would become A24's youngest feature director. The film is produced by James Wan, Shawn Levy and Osgood Perkins.[15] Chernin Entertainment financed the film for under $10 million.[2]

In May 2025, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Cristin Milioti entered negotiations to star in the film.[16] Ejiofor was confirmed the following month, with Will Soodik writing the latest draft. Milioti's deal ultimately fell through and Renate Reinsve was cast in her place.[17] Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell and Avan Jogia were added to the cast in July.[10]

Filming

Principal photography began in Vancouver, Canada on July 7, 2025, under the working title of Effigy.[18] Filming wrapped on August 14, 2025.[19]

Parsons previously used the 3D software Blender and Adobe After Effects to complete his original YouTube videos. For the feature film, over 30,000 square feet of Backrooms were built, which reportedly led to people getting lost on set.[20]

Music

Edo Van Breemen and Kane Parsons composed the score for the film.[21]

Release

Backrooms is scheduled to be released in the United States by A24 on May 29, 2026.[22]

References

  1. ^ "Backrooms (15)". British Board of Film Classification. May 11, 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
  2. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 7, 2026). "'Backrooms' Could Surprise At Summer Box Office With $20M+ Opening". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  3. ^ "Enter The Backrooms In First Teaser For A24's Liminal Sci-Fi Horror Movie". February 24, 2026. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  4. ^ "Backrooms - WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  5. ^ "Production Weekly – Issue 1459 – Thursday, June 26, 2025 / 180 Listings – 39 Pages". Production Weekly. June 26, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  6. ^ Gillis, Drew (March 31, 2026). "The 'Backrooms' get some characters in full trailer". The AV Club. Archived from the original on April 1, 2026. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  7. ^ Miska, Brad (April 4, 2026). "'Backrooms' Viral Marketing Campaign Airs Authentic Local TV Commercial for Cap'n Clark's Ottoman Empire!". Dread Central. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
  8. ^ Rose, Steve (May 15, 2026). "Are you sitting uncomfortably? How Backrooms upended the horror movie". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  9. ^ Motamayor, Rafael (May 8, 2026). "First Reactions To A24's Backrooms Movie Have Critics United". /Film. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  10. ^ a b c d e D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 10, 2025). "Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell & Avan Jogia Join A24 & Chernin Entertainment Sci-Fi Horror Pic 'The Backrooms'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 30, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  11. ^ a b ScreenRant Plus (May 9, 2026). Kane Parsons & Backrooms Cast Tease How Rewarding The Movie Is For Longtime Viewers. Retrieved May 11, 2026 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ "Horror-Thriller BACKROOMS mit Chiwetel Ejiofor ab 4. Juni im Kino! Plakat und Trailer jetzt verfügbar". Constantin Film (in German). Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  13. ^ The Backrooms (Found Footage). Kane Pixels. January 7, 2022. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  14. ^ Grobar, Matt (February 6, 2023). "'The Backrooms' Horror Film Based On Viral Shorts By 17-Year-Old Kane Parsons In Works At A24, Atomic Monster, Chernin & 21 Laps". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 30, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  15. ^ Gajewski, Ryan (April 26, 2026). "'Backrooms': How Kane Parsons Turned YouTube Project Into "Lonely" A24 Film With 30K-Square-Foot Set". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  16. ^ Grobar, Matt (May 20, 2025). "Chiwetel Ejiofor & Cristin Milioti Eyed To Star In 'The Backrooms' At A24". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 30, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  17. ^ Grobar, Matt (June 11, 2025). "Renate Reinsve Joins Chiwetel Ejiofor In A24 Sci-Fi Horror Pic 'The Backrooms'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 30, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  18. ^ Gittins, Susan (June 30, 2025). "A24 Horror Flick Backrooms With Chiwetel Ejiofor Starts Shooting in Vancouver". Hollywood North Buzz. Archived from the original on July 30, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  19. ^ "Effigy - ACFC West, Local 2020 Unifor". Archived from the original on July 19, 2025. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
  20. ^ Guttmann, Graeme (April 25, 2026). "A24 Built Thirty Thousand Square Feet Of Backrooms So Kane Parsons Could Bring His "Strange" World To Life". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on April 27, 2026. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  21. ^ "Edo Van Breemen & Kane Parsons Scoring A24's 'Backrooms'". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  22. ^ Squires, John (February 23, 2026). "'Backrooms' Poster – A24's Liminal Horror Movie Will Release in Theaters This May". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved February 23, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)