WNN Monday Movie Review: Backrooms

I'm still trying to figure out what I just watched.

Cherryville, NC (WNN) - The movie Backrooms, released on May 29th, 2026, has exceeded box-office expectations thus far.   Worldwide totals have reached $213 million for the $10 million-budgeted film.  It has been A24 Studios' largest weekend-opening movie to date.  Another record is that the writer and director Kane Parsons is just 20 years old for the record-breaking Backrooms movie.  Parsons, from Northern California, a self-taught filmmaker, created another Backroom concept movie on YouTube in 2022, at age 16, titled The Backrooms (Found Footage).  His vision stems more from video games and YouTube than from Hollywood.  

Backrooms Movie Poster 1 (2026)

A24 Studios

Backrooms is a R-rated psychological horror film that uses weird empty rooms (sort of) that defy logic.  The entire movie defies logical thinking, but that is the intent.  Rooms that go somewhere but nowhere.  Doors that have a purpose but then don't.  The movie has a minimalist tone with creepy electrical noises, emptiness, long pauses, neutral colors, silence, and fright.  The soundtrack is just as weird and adds a tone to the movie that enhances the overall experience. There is artistry involved in creating Backrooms, as well as the cleverness of the scenes. 

Backrooms Movie Poster 2 (2026)

A24 Studios

The movie runs approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes and features just a few characters, keeping it minimalistic.  What keeps the film from being a B or C-grade movie is its actors. Chiwetel Ejiofor as Clark and Renate Reinsve as Dr. Mary Kline bring professionalism to Backrooms.  Another actor is Mark Duplass, who plays Phil.  Other actors include Finn Bennett as Bobby Franklin and Lukita Maxwell as Kat (Katherine Taylor).  They all play great roles and keep the movie a worthy one.  Some of the film footage is grainy and just bad, but that's the point, too.

Backrooms (2026) - Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kane Parsons, Renate Reinsve (L-R)

A24 Studios

I watched Backrooms, knowing nothing about the previous YouTube film.  I had no clue where the movie was going, and I still do not know where it went.  Yes, it's that type of movie.  I have more questions now than I did before.  After the movie, I tried to go back and dissect each scene to figure out what it meant.  I foresee a sequel, but then the newness will wear off.

Hoot Review Scale

• 5 Hoots - Outstanding filmmaking with emotional or cultural impact
• 4 hoots - Great movie with some minor flaws. Would recommend to a friend.
• 3 Hoots. Enjoyable, but not groundbreaking. 
• 2 Hoots - It was okay, but it falls short of expectations or potential. 
• 1 Hoot - Weak story and/or poor execution. 

WNN Owl-Hoot Review

WNN  review - I'll give it 3.5 Hoots.  Backrooms is between hoots of 3 and 4.  It is groundbreaking that it's outside of Hollywood's elite circle and has done so well, but it's not a blockbuster.  If anything, it portrays a distorted world we currently live in and gets you thinking.  It's a good and different movie, but it may not be for everyone.  I'm still trying to figure out what I just watched. 

For further WNN articles and news stories, visit https://wisenewsnetwork.com

For more WNN video news stories, visit YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wisenewsnetwork

Contact WNN at newsdesk@wisenewsnetwork.com

North Carolina Press Association Member

©️Copyright 2026 Wise News Network. All rights reserved.