‘Backrooms’ Director Kane Parsons Dreams of Adapting Portal Into a Movie

‘Backrooms’ director Kane Parsons has just released one of the most talked-about horror films of the year, but he is already eyeing his next dream project. In a recent profile by The New York Times, the 20-year-old filmmaker expressed his desire to bring the popular video game ‘Portal’ to the big screen.

Parsons, who gained viral fame after creating ‘The Backrooms’ series on YouTube as a teenager, has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in horror. His original ‘Backrooms’ short went viral when he was just 16, featuring a man trapped in an endless maze of eerie yellow hallways and unsettling empty spaces. The series garnered millions of views and eventually caught the attention of A24.

The studio acted swiftly, signing Parsons to direct a feature-length adaptation of ‘Backrooms’ when he was only 17, making him the youngest director in A24’s history. After several years of development, the film has finally premiered, featuring Oscar-nominated actors Renate Reinsve and Chiwetel Ejiofor in the lead roles.

In his interview with The New York Times, Parsons acknowledged that his age has always been a topic of discussion in his career.

“Age has never not been part of the conversation with me,” he remarked.

Before filming ‘Backrooms’, Parsons had concerns that people might not take him seriously due to his youth. However, he aimed to remain authentic to the audience that discovered his work online.

Parsons also shared that his creative influences extend beyond just films. His style has been significantly shaped by internet storytelling and video games, particularly two classic titles from Valve: ‘Portal’ and ‘Half-Life’.

The most intriguing revelation from the interview was Parsons’ aspiration to adapt ‘Portal’ into a film someday. He is reportedly exploring the feasibility of such a project and approaching the idea with “a lot of curiosity.”

For those unfamiliar with ‘Portal’, it is one of the most critically acclaimed puzzle games ever created. Released by Valve in 2007, the game places players in the role of Chell, a test subject trapped in a futuristic research facility known as Aperture Science.

Using a device called the Portal Gun, players can create linked portals on various surfaces, allowing for instant travel between locations. The game masterfully combines physics-based puzzles with dark humor and a mysterious narrative.

‘Portal’ is also renowned for its AI antagonist, GLaDOS, a sarcastic and manipulative artificial intelligence that oversees the facility’s experiments. As players progress, they uncover secrets about Aperture Science while attempting to escape GLaDOS’s control.

While ‘Portal’ is primarily recognized as a puzzle game, its isolated settings, bizarre atmosphere, and underlying psychological themes resonate with the essence of ‘Backrooms’. Both narratives immerse characters in unfamiliar environments where reality feels warped and danger lurks nearby.

Currently, Parsons is focused on the release of ‘Backrooms’. However, his comments indicate that adapting ‘Portal’ remains a serious ambition. Given his success in transforming a viral internet horror series into a feature film, many fans are already eager to see how his interpretation of Valve’s beloved game would unfold on the big screen.

Whether this project will come to fruition is yet to be determined, but one thing is clear: Kane Parsons is already contemplating what lies ahead after ‘Backrooms’.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!