Backrooms (movie)
| 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 |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Jeremy Cox |
| Edited by | Greg Ng |
| Music by |
|
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | A24 |
Release dates | 7 May 2026 (Aero Theatre) 29 May 2026 (United States) |
Running time | 110 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $10 million[2] |
| Box office | $331 million[3] |
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Backrooms is a 2026 American scifi–horror film directed by Kane Parsons (known as Kane Pixels in the Internet) and written by Roberto Patino and Will Soodik. Based on Parsons' own series and inspired of the same creepypasta name, the film includes actors Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell, Avan Jogia, Robert Bobroczyki. The film was released in the United States on 29 May 2026 nationwide, before that, it was released in other countries. As of 16 June 2026, it grossed $184.2 million domestically and $331 million globally.
Plot
[change | change source]The film involves a therapist whose patient has gone missing, allegedly went to an another universe beyond reality. This paranormal situation leads her to enter a place called "The Backrooms" with the goal of saving the patient. During that process, the character has to face numerous barriers, including supernatural activities, challenging awareness about reality and the gaps between psychology and supernatural worlds.[4]
Starring
[change | change source]- Chiwetel Ejiofor as Clark, a struggling interior designer and architect.
- Renate Reinsve as Mary Kline, Clark's therapist.
- Mark Duplass as Phil, an Async scientist.
- Finn Bennett as Robert “Bobby” Franklin, Clark's employee.
- Lukita Maxwell as Kathine “Kat" Taylor, Clark's employee and Bobby's girlfriend.
- Avan Jogia, a researcher about The Backrooms.
- Robert Bobroczkyi as Captain Clark, an entity in the Backrooms that copies Clark's appearance in a pirate suit.
Production
[change | change source]Development
[change | change source]Kane Parsons started a series of videos about his own Backrooms episodes on his YouTube channel, Kane Pixels, beginning on 7 January 2022.[5] It is based on the original creepypasta and urban legend with the same name.
In February 2023, A24, alongside Chernin Entertainment, Atomic Monster and 21 Laps Entertainment, announced a film adaptation based on Parsons' series, and will be co-produced. Parsons will direct, Roberto Pattino screenplays the plot.[6]
In May 2025, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Cristin Milioti entered numerous negotiations to take on roles in the film.[7] Next month, Ejiofor was confirmed to be in the project. The latest draft is screenplayed by Will Soodik, while Milioti's participation deal is not achieved. After that, Renate Reinsve is selected to replace in the cast.[8] In July, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell and Avan Jogia were also selected.[9]
Recording
[change | change source]Beginning on 7 July 2025 in Vancouver with a temporary title named Effigy[10] and is completed on 14 August 2025.[11]
Notes
[change | change source]- ↑ Promotional material and the film itself use the Chernin Entertainment logo.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "Backrooms (15)". BBFC. May 11, 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
- ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (May 27, 2026). "Box Office: A24's 'Backrooms' Aims for Record $45 Million-Plus Opening Weekend, Continuing Hot Streak for Low-Budget Horror". Variety. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Backrooms - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
- ↑ Browski, Rich (2025-06-26). "Production Weekly – Issue 1459 – Thursday, June 26, 2025 / 180 Listings – 39 Pages". Production Weekly. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
- ↑ Kane Pixels (2022-01-07), The Backrooms (Found Footage), retrieved 2026-05-31
- ↑ Grobar, Matt (2023-02-06). "'The Backrooms' Horror Film Based On Viral Shorts By 17-Year-Old Kane Parsons In Works At A24, Atomic Monster, Chernin & 21 Laps". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
- ↑ Grobar, Matt (2025-05-20). "Chiwetel Ejiofor & Cristin Milioti Eyed To Star In 'Backrooms' At A24". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
- ↑ Grobar, Matt (2025-06-11). "Renate Reinsve Joins Chiwetel Ejiofor In A24 Sci-Fi Horror Pic 'Backrooms'". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2025-07-10). "Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell & Avan Jogia Join A24 & Chernin Entertainment Sci-Fi Horror Pic 'The Backrooms'". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
- ↑ Gittins, Susan (2025-06-30). "A24 Horror Flick BACKROOMS With Chiwetel Ejiofor Starts Shooting in Vancouver". Hollywood North Buzz. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
- ↑ "Effigy". ACFC West, Local 2020 Unifor. Retrieved 2026-05-31.