Renate Reinsve Wouldn’t Go on the ‘Backrooms’ Set Alone Due to Its Size
Renate Reinsve recently shared her thoughts on filming Kane Parsons’ upcoming horror movie Backrooms, describing the set as both unsettling and difficult to navigate. She expressed that she wouldn’t feel at ease stepping onto the set by herself, citing its vastness and confusing layout.
In the film, Reinsve portrays Dr. Mary Kline, a therapist linked to Clark, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. Clark finds himself trapped in a bizarre, endless dimension after discovering it within a furniture store he owns. This eerie setting draws inspiration from the viral internet phenomenon known as the Backrooms, referred to in production as “The Complex.”
The actress noted that the physical design of the set significantly influenced her during filming. She remarked, “I would get lost, I have a very bad sense of direction. When I got there the first time I was a bit scared of just losing it a bit but I kept sane.” Her insights indicate that the scale of the set made it easy to feel disoriented while working.
Reinsve also conveyed that the atmosphere on set was peculiar and intense. She recalled the director’s excitement upon witnessing the completed environment built around the cast. She stated, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone that excited when I came on set. [Kane] was just, like, tripping, seeing what he had built on his computer, built around us – and it was truly a scary, eerie place to be. I wouldn’t actually go alone anywhere.” Her comments emphasize the immersive nature of the production and its impact on the actors’ perception of space.
The film follows Clark as he becomes ensnared in a vast maze of yellow walls filled with empty rooms, harsh fluorescent lighting, and no visible exit. The environment is crafted to feel unnatural and repetitive, with subtle details that seem slightly off. The only sound he initially hears is the constant hum of the lights, enhancing the sense of isolation.
Reinsve mentioned that filming in such an unsettling environment actually benefited her performance. She indicated that the discomfort and fear she experienced contributed to the emotional depth of her character. Additionally, she discussed the film’s broader themes, suggesting it connects to larger ideas beyond just horror.
She explained, “It’s surprisingly existential on a lot of different levels. I think you can read it into a lot of things, the way culture and AI and technology is developing.” She added that the film’s world feels like it lacks a clear conclusion, which she found disconcerting. She further elaborated, “There’s this extrapolated world, where you don’t see an ending to it, that is scary. [But] it’s also about the psychology of these characters and how things can get distorted but kind of look the same, and how you sometimes can only make sense of something irrational with something else that is irrational. It has a lot of layers.”
The cast of Backrooms also features Finn Bennett and Lukita Maxwell. The film expands on the viral online horror concept created by Kane Parsons, transforming it into a full-length feature that emphasizes psychological tension and surreal environments.
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