Backrooms

“Backrooms”directed by the young filmmaker Kane Parsons, is one of the most interesting recent entries in independent horror. Parsons takes his own viral youtube short film (which helped further popularize the Backrooms) and intelligently expands it into a feature film that respects the original spirit without falling into mere repetition. The adaptation is a successful one: it preserves the liminal and disorienting essence of the concept while adding narrative layers and character development that enrich the premise without betraying it. What worked in the short film as a striking shock effect becomes here a sustained immersion that fully justifies the transition to feature-length storytelling. One of Parsons’ greatest achievements is his ability to generate and maintain tension throughout the entire runtime. Rather than relying on cheap jump scares or easy tricks, he creates an unsettling narrative fueled by the viewer’s growing sense of unease. The endless hallways and oppressive ambient sound create an atmosphere that grips you from the opening minutes and never lets go. The camera moves with calculated restlessness, while the editing and sound design make the emptiness feel alive. Though it is fair to say, not understanding what is going on acts against its own narrative and the ending was underwhelming to say the least.