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

Early reactions are coming in for Backrooms, the new horror film from director Kane Parsons. The movie is based on his viral YouTube series and the popular internet creepypasta known as “The Backrooms.” It is also set to be released in cinemas in the United States by A24 on May 29.

The film stars Renate Reinsve and Chiwetel Ejiofor in the lead roles, along with a cast that includes Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell, and others. It follows a therapist who enters a strange and unsettling dimension while searching for a missing patient.

Critics and early viewers have started sharing their first impressions on social media, and the reactions are mostly strong and intense. Film critic Erik Davis described the movie as a disturbing experience, saying, “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 shared a more mixed but still positive reaction, noting both strengths and weaknesses. They wrote, “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, praised the atmosphere and acting, 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 said, “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 described the film in very simple terms, 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 highlighted the direction and style. Landi52orlando called Parsons a standout new filmmaker and said the movie is a “mind-bending, nerve-wracking nightmare” with strong visuals, atmosphere, and performances.

Greg Pomes was also very positive, saying, “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 awhile!”

The film is Parsons’ first feature-length project, and it builds on the online success of his original Backrooms videos, which became widely known for their eerie, empty-space horror style. Based on early reactions, the movie is already getting attention for its atmosphere, visuals, and performances, especially from Reinsve and Ejiofor.

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