A24 Prepares The Backrooms Feature Adaptation for Cinema Release

Horror enthusiasts and internet lore followers are focusing their attention on Cinema screens as studio powerhouse A24 prepares the wide theatrical release of The Backrooms. Directed by 19-year-old viral director Kane Parsons, the feature film adapts the liminal space creepypasta phenomenon that captured millions of viewers across social platforms. Moving straight into nationwide multiplexes, the standalone horror project translates yellow-wallpapered hallways, endless fluorescent lighting, and uncanny unsettling environments into a large-scale cinematic experience built for big-screen sound systems.

The path to a major theatrical debut began in January 2022 when Parsons uploaded his short film The Backrooms (Found Footage) to YouTube at age 16. The original short amassed over 60 million views, spawning an expanded 16-part web series that accumulated more than 100 million total views and established a dedicated global fanbase. A24 officially acquired the rights in early 2023, partnering with Chernin Entertainment, Atomic Monster, and 21 Laps to develop the internet lore into a full-length theatrical feature.

What is driving immediate conversation around The Backrooms is its milestone status as one of the most prominent YouTube-to-Hollywood crossover projects in modern horror history. The release of official promotional teasers sparked widespread online debate, tracking heavy interest across digital communities that followed the original YouTube uploads. By bringing a internet-native urban legend into traditional theaters, A24 taps into an established online fanbase while delivering a distinct visual experience for mainstream horror audiences.

The production combines young creative direction with experienced Hollywood horror producers. Kane Parsons directs from a screenplay written by Will Berson, who co-wrote Judas and the Black Messiah, while genre veterans James Wan and Shawn Levy serve as producers. The cast features Chiwetel Ejiofor alongside Renate Reinsve, providing established dramatic caliber to ground the surreal, found-footage-inspired narrative.

By bridging digital creator culture with traditional theatrical distribution, the feature brings a fresh perspective to modern psychological horror. The massive transition from short YouTube videos to a full studio release demonstrates the growing influence of online storytelling in cinema. As The Backrooms arrives in theaters, it stands ready to show how internet lore can reshape big-screen horror for a new generation.