21 Comments
User's avatar
Ese L.'s avatar

I kind of took this movie to say that our housing crisis will be "solved" by many of us being forced to move into abandoned malls and office buildings. We will be driven mad by the windowless, grim interior spaces. Truly, a horror film for our times.

Castlefornia's avatar

Saw this yesterday and would rate it a B-minus. The premise is cool and the performances and direction are well-done and suitably A24-ish. But I felt like the dialogue lacked a bit of personality, the Backrooms concept actually gets less scary as it goes on, and it doesn't wrap up in a way that adds much to the prior 90 minutes.

Gregory S. Forman's avatar

Based on your recommendation and the recommendation of my Gen-Z daughter, this boomer and his boomer friend are seeing Backrooms this afternoon. Should we also see Obsession?

Ginny's avatar

Ask me how I felt about my basement for about a decade after I watched “The Blair Witch Project”.

Sonny Bunch's avatar

(A movie that killed with an audience, particularly that last shot!)

Ginny's avatar

Dude, I was twitchy going into my basement for a freaking decade after that movie. I can barely watch the trailer for this one. No thanks.

Ginny's avatar

Just one more movie that I will wait until it streams on a free platform, so if I want to turn it off, I don’t feel like I’ve wasted my money.

Sonny Bunch's avatar

Take a chance!

Leah Eppestine's avatar

I am going to see this asap! I’m so glad I read this review - now if only I can talk my husband into going with me lol. But if not, I’m going by myself

Sharon Tester's avatar

Sonny,

You forgot to mention that Backrooms is a game and a genre of "found footage" horror on YouTube. I don't know much about the game (like which platform) but here's a link to some of the YouTube video... https://youtu.be/H4dGpz6cnHo

It's pretty scary stuff.

TGS808's avatar

That YouTube video was made by the same guy that made this movie. The movie is basically an expanded, higher budget version of his YouTube channel.

HH's avatar

Neat! The trailers made it looks like an old Shyamalan joint: take a simple concept and ratchet up the tension, sprinkle with family feuds and/or drama, and bake. I'm pleased to hear that it's deeper than that. Ejiofor is one of my favorite performers.

Thanks Sonny!

Sonny Bunch's avatar

Yeah I’ve loved him since REDBELT. Good actor!

Castlefornia's avatar

I'm looking forward to this. I was initially skeptical based on the story's origin in creepypasta fanfic stuff, but the A24 pedigree with these leads and strong reviews got me over that hump. The concept of the labyrinth also sounds a lot like House of Leaves, or a less sci-fi Axiom Verge.

John P's avatar

For those who are interested in the history of how this got started: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Backrooms

What a journey from random internet thread to film!

Jennifer Klunge's avatar

I don't like the idea of this film, but I will watch it. Streaming or at theaters?

Jake's avatar

Theaters, always.

Kay Ellen O'Maighe's avatar

Bingo, especially for scary movies - big, dark, anonymous room with giant screen that blots out distractions - at home, safety & normalcy are always peripherally visible.

John Birmingham's avatar

I love the idea of this film, but it sounds fucking TERRIFYING

Sonny Bunch's avatar

It has its moments for sure!

Sharon Tester's avatar

I'm sure it is... if the youtube videos are any indication ... https://youtu.be/H4dGpz6cnHo