The internet sensation known as The Backrooms is getting a full-fledged film adaptation according to Deadline, with Kane Parsons attached to direct. The 17-year-old is known for making found-footage short horror films on his YouTube channel, which have become viral since he began the series a year ago.
The young filmmaker's ideas will be adapted into a full-length feature by A24, the independent film distributor known for releasing movies that break the norms of traditional filmmaking. A few of their iconic horror flicks include Hereditary, The Lighthouse, and Saint Maud.
Parsons will have the help of several seasoned producers, including Shawn Levy and James Wan. The script will be written by Roberto Patino, who previously worked on Westworld, Sons of Anarchy, Prime Suspect, and Cut Bank. No cast members have been announced yet.
What Are The Backrooms?
The idea of "the backrooms" originated in 2019 with a post by an anonymous user on 4chan, an internet message board. It's an alternate dimension consisting of endless hallways and rooms, with ever-buzzing fluorescent lights, pale yellow wallpaper, and old carpet. They're mostly empty and sparsely populated with everyday objects that seem ominous given their setting, while unnamed creatures roam the halls.
The idea has been expanded since then, with short stories and videos being posted across various sites, by various users. There are even several short video games based on the idea, released by different indie developers.
Arguably the most iconic and fully-fleshed out rendition of "the backrooms" is the YouTube series created by Kane Pixels, which has spawned sixteen videos totaling over 100 minutes of found footage horror. It begins with a young cameraman getting transported to an alternate dimension while filming a low-budget horror movie with his friends. He keeps his camera on as he explores the backrooms and tries to escape, in a filming technique known as "found footage" where the audience gets to see through the eyes of a camera that's actually present in the setting.
The "found footage" filming technique was popularized by The Blair Witch Project in 1999, and similar films include Cloverfield, Paranormal Activity, and Chronicle.
The Backrooms film does not yet have an official title, and no release date has been revealed. Kane Parsons will direct, with the script being written by Roberto Patino. The movie will be produced by Atomic Monster and 21 Laps, and A24 and Chernin Entertainment are set to finance the film.
You can watch Kane Pixel's first Backrooms video below: