First Reactions to Kane Parsons’ Sci-Fi Horror ‘Backrooms’ With Renate Reinsve and Chiwetel Ejiofor

Early reactions are rolling in for Backrooms, the latest horror film directed by Kane Parsons. This movie draws inspiration from his viral YouTube series and the well-known internet creepypasta titled “The Backrooms.” It is set to hit theaters across the United States on May 29, courtesy of A24.

Starring Renate Reinsve and Chiwetel Ejiofor in lead roles, the film also features Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell, and others. The plot centers around a therapist who ventures into a bizarre and unsettling dimension while on the hunt for a missing patient.

Critics and early viewers have begun sharing their impressions on social media, with most reactions being strong and intense. Film critic Erik Davis described the film as a disturbing experience, stating, “A wholly unique and original horror film that freaks you out and creeps you out while luring you deeper into its eerie, liminal nightmare.”

Next Best Picture provided a more mixed yet still positive review, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. They noted, “It is a promising feature directorial debut for Kane Parsons […] While the story occasionally loses some of the ambiguity that made the original concept so chilling, two strong performances from Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve help ground the film as it descends deeper into its psychological labyrinth of dread and insanity.”

Another viewer, Lulamaybelle, commended the atmosphere and performances, saying, “A brilliant, frightening vision. Beautifully claustrophobic, pulse-pounding & freaky AF. Renate Reinsve & Chiwetel Ejiofor are terrific.”

Some reactions focused on specific moments in the film. Andrew J626 remarked, “Still trying to form my full thoughts but I will say that there’s a certain sequence in this that got my blood pumping so fast that I had no choice but to close my eyes. A very promising start for Kane Parsons as a filmmaker.”

Josh Rothkopf succinctly described the film, writing, “It is horror stripped to its essentials: a hallway, a door, knowing that you will go through it. Conceptually, it’s a triumph, a nightmare with its own weather. Kane Parsons may be 20 years old but he knows what haunts us.”

Other early reactions have praised the direction and style. Landi52orlando called Parsons a standout new filmmaker, describing the movie as a “mind-bending, nerve-wracking nightmare” with impressive visuals, atmosphere, and performances.

Greg Pomes expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Absolutely loved Backrooms! Kane Parsons at only 20 has created one of the best horror films of the year and one that will be talked about for a while!”

This film marks Parsons’ first feature-length project, building on the online success of his original Backrooms videos, which gained fame for their eerie, empty-space horror style. Based on early reactions, the movie is already drawing attention for its atmosphere, visuals, and performances, particularly from Reinsve and Ejiofor.

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