‘Backrooms’ Trailer Drops As A24 Brings Viral Horror To Cinemas

A24 has released the first trailer for Backrooms, the upcoming psychological horror feature adapted from Kane Parsons’ widely viewed online series. The film, set for a theatrical release on 29 May, marks Parsons’ transition from digital creator to feature director, with the project drawing on the internet phenomenon that first gained traction through short-form video.

The trailer introduces a premise rooted in disappearance and spatial distortion. A furniture store owner vanishes after uncovering a hidden doorway in his basement, leading to an endless labyrinth of interconnected rooms. The footage leans heavily on the unsettling familiarity of empty, repetitive spaces, reflecting the concept’s origins in online creepypasta culture and its association with liminal environments.

Backrooms stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, with supporting roles from Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett and Lukita Maxwell. Ejiofor plays a central figure connected to the disappearance, while Reinsve portrays a therapist drawn into the investigation. The film’s structure expands on the original web series by introducing a character-led perspective, while retaining the core idea of an inescapable, shifting interior world.

The project is produced by James Wan, whose involvement places the film within a broader context of contemporary studio-backed horror, while A24 continues its investment in distinctive genre properties. The adaptation represents a notable instance of a viral online concept evolving into a large-scale production, with Parsons’ original videos having accumulated millions of views since their debut in 2022.

Filming took place in Vancouver during summer 2025 under the working title Effigy, with production wrapping in August. The screenplay, credited to Will Soodik, builds on earlier drafts developed during the project’s initial announcement phase. Music for the film is composed by Edo Van Breemen in collaboration with Parsons, extending the director’s involvement into the film’s sound design.

A24 will release Backrooms exclusively in cinemas on 29 May.

Backrooms trailer