The first official trailer for Backrooms (2026), released in May 2026, immediately sparked curiosity among horror fans worldwide. Instead of relying on loud jump scares or terrifying monsters, the trailer focuses on something far more unsettling — empty rooms that slowly change shape from one scene to the next. Hallways stretch endlessly, doors disappear without explanation, and windows suddenly lead nowhere.

Directed by Kane Parsons, the creator behind the viral Backrooms series on YouTube, the film transforms the internet’s most famous liminal space nightmare into a full-scale cinematic experience. Backed by A24 alongside Atomic Monster and 21 Laps Entertainment, Backrooms promises a psychological horror experience that feels eerie, immersive, and disturbingly realistic.

The film’s atmosphere is its greatest weapon. Endless yellow corridors, flickering fluorescent lights, and the constant hum of electrical buzzing create a feeling of isolation that slowly crawls under the skin. Rather than overwhelming viewers with nonstop scares, Backrooms builds fear gradually, making audiences feel trapped inside its strange and shifting world.

From Viral YouTube Horror to the Big Screen

Kane Parsons first uploaded his Backrooms short film series on January 7, 2022, through his YouTube channel Kane Pixels. The found-footage style videos quickly became an internet phenomenon thanks to their unsettling concept of endless empty spaces and distorted reality. Many horror fans praised the series as one of the most terrifying examples of modern analog horror.

The project’s massive popularity eventually caught the attention of A24, which officially announced the feature film adaptation in February 2023. The movie became a collaboration between A24, Atomic Monster, North Road Films, and Oddfellows Pictures. Well-known producers including James Wan, Shawn Levy, Michael Clear, and Roberto Patino joined the project to help bring the nightmare-like universe to theaters.

Filming took place in Vancouver, Canada, from July to August 2025. To achieve an authentic atmosphere, the production team reportedly constructed more than 30,000 square feet of Backrooms-inspired corridors and environments. Cinematography was handled by Jeremy Cox, while Greg Ng worked on the film’s editing process.

Story Synopsis

Backrooms follows Clark, a furniture store owner who discovers a mysterious portal hidden beneath his shop’s basement. The portal drags him into an alternate dimension known as the Backrooms — a massive maze of empty hallways and abandoned rooms with no clear exit.

At first, the place appears harmless, almost ordinary. But as Clark ventures deeper, the environment begins to shift in impossible ways. Rooms rearrange themselves, hallways loop endlessly, and reality itself starts to break apart. Eventually, Clark disappears without a trace.

Concerned by his sudden disappearance, therapist Dr. Mary Kline begins investigating her patient’s mysterious case. Her search ultimately leads her into the Backrooms as well, where she becomes trapped inside the same ever-changing nightmare.

As the maze grows more psychologically oppressive, strange figures begin appearing in the darkness beyond the corridors. With no stable path and no clear escape, Mary must confront both the terrifying space around her and the growing fear inside her own mind.

A Horror Film Built on Atmosphere

Unlike many modern horror movies, Backrooms focuses heavily on atmosphere rather than fast-paced scares. The camera moves slowly through empty spaces that somehow feel deeply wrong despite appearing simple and familiar. The dull yellow color palette and the constant electrical buzzing create a sense of anxiety that steadily intensifies throughout the film.

Many early viewers have compared the movie’s visual tension and psychological horror style to films like The Shining and Skinamarink. Instead of relying on monsters alone, Backrooms uses silence, emptiness, and distorted architecture to create fear.

Even tiny details — footsteps echoing through distant corridors, flickering lights, or rooms subtly changing shape — become deeply unsettling. The film taps into a primal fear of isolation and the discomfort of unfamiliar spaces that feel almost real.

Cast and Main Characters

The movie features a strong lineup of actors portraying characters trapped within the mysterious dimension:

• Chiwetel Ejiofor as Clark
• Renate Reinsve as Dr. Mary Kline
• Finn Bennett as Bobby
• Lukita Maxwell as Kat
• Ember Ambrose as Young Mary
• Krista Kosonen as Nora
• Philip Granger as Meterman

Mark Duplass also appears as Phil, an Async executive who may know more about the origins of the Backrooms than he initially reveals.

Release Date and Where to Watch

Backrooms officially premiered in the United States on May 29, 2026, through A24. South Korea began screenings on May 27, while France is scheduled to release the film on June 17, 2026.

In Indonesia, the movie is expected to arrive in major cinema chains on June 10, 2026, including XXI, Cinepolis, CGV, Cinema 21, NSC, Platinum Cineplex, and Kota Cinema.

Audiences will be able to watch the film in both regular theaters and IMAX formats. With a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes, Backrooms blends psychological horror, mystery, and science fiction into one deeply unsettling experience. The film carries a 17+ mature rating due to its intense atmosphere and disturbing themes.

The official trailer has already left many viewers intrigued by its surreal imagery and constantly shifting environments. Small details — like flickering lights, distant footsteps, and disappearing doors — help create a terrifying sense of uncertainty that lingers long after the trailer ends.

For horror fans looking for something different from traditional jump-scare movies, Backrooms may become one of the most memorable psychological horror films of 2026. The only question is: are you ready to enter the endless yellow corridors and uncover the mysteries waiting inside the Backrooms?