Nana
By Tasha Robinson
Published May 28, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT
The cinematic landscape is poised for a significant expansion with the release of A24’s highly anticipated horror film, Backrooms. Directed by the visionary Kane Parsons, the movie plunges audiences into a terrifying, seemingly endless liminal space, following a troubled protagonist, played by the formidable Chiwetel Ejiofor, as he navigates a portal to this mysterious realm. While the film delivers a self-contained narrative, its conclusion unmistakably hints at a much larger universe, leaving viewers pondering the possibility of future installments. Parsons himself has now confirmed that the journey into the Backrooms is far from over, revealing an ambitious multi-part vision that extends beyond the confines of a single horror film, potentially even evolving into a long-form series.
"A series would be my dream scenario, personally," Parsons shared in an exclusive interview with Polygon. "But obviously, a series is a whole thing." This statement, while tempered with pragmatism, underscores a profound creative ambition that has been brewing for years, long before the A24 collaboration came to fruition. As Backrooms prepares for its theatrical debut on May 29, the revelations from its creator suggest that this is merely the opening chapter of a deeply conceived, expansive saga.
The Main Facts: A Universe in the Making
- A24’s Backrooms is conceived as the first installment in a larger narrative. Director Kane Parsons confirms that sequels have been the intention since 2022, long before the feature film’s production.
- The film’s plot: Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as a troubled man who discovers a portal to the titular "Backrooms," an enigmatic, seemingly infinite space that profoundly alters his life.
- A broader vision: Parsons aims to explore the "true heart of the idea" behind the Backrooms, which he believes cannot be fully realized within a single movie’s runtime.
- Desired format: While a series of films with an anthology flavor is planned, Parsons’ "dream scenario" is a full-fledged television series, offering the most practical avenue for his extensive narrative.
- Genre evolution: The franchise is envisioned to potentially move beyond pure horror, with Parsons describing his preferred space as an "interpersonal sort of drama built on top of a supernatural techno-thriller."
- Continued YouTube engagement: Parsons intends to supplement the cinematic releases with independent YouTube content, leveraging the platform where the Backrooms phenomenon originally began.
- Pre-planned narrative: Parsons emphasizes that he has the entire story arc, including its ultimate conclusion, meticulously mapped out from the beginning, ensuring continuity and purpose across all future projects.
- Release Date: Backrooms premieres in theaters on May 29.
Chronology: From Internet Phenomenon to A24’s Big Screen
The journey of Backrooms from an obscure internet meme to a major A24 feature film is a testament to the power of viral content and the growing appetite for digitally native horror. The concept of the "Backrooms" originated as a creepypasta on 4chan in 2019, depicting an endless maze of desolate, yellow-wallpapered rooms, fluorescent lights buzzing, and the pervasive sense of dread that comes with being "no-clipped" out of reality. It quickly captured the collective imagination of the internet, spawning countless fan theories, artwork, and short films.
Among the most influential of these fan creations was Kane Parsons’ YouTube series, which began in 2022. Parsons, then a teenager, utilized found-footage aesthetics and impressive visual effects to bring the eerie, unsettling atmosphere of the Backrooms to life. His short films, particularly "The Backrooms (Found Footage)," garnered millions of views, establishing a definitive visual and tonal language for the phenomenon. It was this viral success that caught the attention of Hollywood, eventually leading to the collaboration with A24, a studio renowned for its distinctive and often boundary-pushing horror offerings.
Parsons reveals that the ambition for a sprawling narrative was inherent from the outset. "[Sequels are] more than an option — it’s been the intention since 2022," he stated. This long-term vision guided his work on the YouTube series, which, despite its independent success, eventually reached its narrative ceiling within the constraints of its format. "I went as far as I could with the YouTube series," Parsons explained, highlighting the limitations of short-form, low-budget productions for a story of this scale.
The leap to a feature film, while a significant undertaking, was, in Parsons’ estimation, a surprisingly swift path to realizing his grander ambitions. "Making a feature film became an option — I thought it’d be a much slower road to get to where things are now," he confessed. The A24 film, therefore, is not merely an adaptation but a deliberate "first part in what I would desire to be several narrative steps." Parsons firmly believes that the "true heart of the idea" behind the Backrooms is too complex and multifaceted to be contained within a single cinematic outing. His initial YouTube efforts served as a proof of concept, a crucial stepping stone that demonstrated the creative potential and audience demand for a fully realized Backrooms universe.
Supporting Data: The Rise of Liminal Horror and A24’s Strategic Vision
The success of Backrooms taps into a fascinating cultural zeitgeist: the allure of liminal spaces and internet-born horror. Liminal spaces – transitional, often abandoned, or unsettlingly mundane locations that evoke a sense of uncanny familiarity and existential dread – have become a powerful aesthetic online. The Backrooms, with its infinite, repetitive corridors, perfectly embodies this concept, resonating with a generation accustomed to navigating vast, impersonal digital architectures.
A24, known for its discerning taste in original and artist-driven horror films like Hereditary, Midsommar, and The Witch, has demonstrated a keen understanding of contemporary horror sensibilities. Their involvement with Backrooms signals a strategic move to tap into established internet lore and translate its unique appeal to a broader theatrical audience. This isn’t A24’s first foray into adapting internet phenomena, but Backrooms represents a significant investment in a concept born entirely from online community creation.
Industry analysts are closely watching the performance of Backrooms, as its success could pave the way for more studio adaptations of viral internet content. "The ‘Backrooms’ phenomenon showcases the incredible power of collaborative storytelling in the digital age," commented Dr. Evelyn Reed, a media studies professor at the University of Southern California. "A24’s decision to back Kane Parsons demonstrates a savvy recognition of where fresh, impactful narratives are emerging. If this film performs well, we could see a new wave of internet-IP driven projects, blending indie aesthetics with studio resources."
The financial and logistical considerations of expanding the Backrooms universe are substantial. While Parsons expresses a desire for "several narrative steps" in film, his ultimate "dream scenario" is a television series. This preference is rooted in narrative practicality: "I think that’s the most practical way to narratively get what you want," he explained. A television series offers the expansive runtime necessary to delve into complex character arcs, explore the multifaceted nature of the Backrooms, and develop its unique mythology without the constraints of a two-hour feature film. The episodic format also allows for the "anthology flavor" Parsons envisions, potentially shifting focus between different characters and aspects of the Backrooms, much like the original internet lore, which often featured diverse interpretations and experiences within the same overarching concept. This flexibility could also facilitate the proposed genre shifts, allowing individual episodes or seasons to experiment with different tones and narrative approaches.
Furthermore, the blend of independent YouTube content with major studio releases represents a novel approach to franchise building. Parsons’ commitment to continue creating YouTube videos, even alongside A24’s cinematic ventures, speaks to a desire for creative autonomy and a continued connection to the community that nurtured his initial vision. This dual-platform strategy could serve to keep the Backrooms universe vibrant and accessible, catering to both mainstream cinema-goers and the dedicated online fanbase.
Official Responses: Parsons’ Unfiltered Vision and A24’s Trust
While official statements from A24 regarding the future of the Backrooms franchise are yet to be released, Kane Parsons’ candid remarks offer a clear insight into the creative partnership. Parsons has been remarkably transparent about his long-term intentions, stating unequivocally that sequels were "the intention since 2022." This wasn’t a reactive decision based on the film’s initial reception but a foundational element of his creative blueprint.
Crucially, Parsons highlighted A24’s supportive and largely hands-off approach to his creative process, even regarding his plans for continued independent YouTube content. "There’s never been any pushback when it’s been spoken about internally," he confirmed. "And that’s always been the idea. I think the YouTube side just gets left as is." This level of trust from a major studio is rare and speaks volumes about A24’s confidence in Parsons’ vision and artistic integrity.
Parsons acknowledged the potential legal complexities of continuing to produce content for the same intellectual property independently, but expressed optimism: "I don’t know what the exact legal writing on that is. I believe it mostly just comes down to A24 having awareness of [what I make], and probably pre-awareness to view these things." He believes A24 sees the value in this hybrid approach, recognizing that his independent work can continue to foster community engagement and build hype for the larger cinematic universe. "They’ve been very creatively hands-off, and I think they’re trusting the creative judgment calls I’m making, in terms of how I’m delivering media to the audience," he elaborated. "So if something like that feels productive and compelling, I don’t think they have an incentive to try to block it in any way." This suggests a forward-thinking model of collaboration, where a studio empowers the original creator to maintain a connection with their grassroots audience.
Implications: A Shifting Genre and a Defined Destination
The most intriguing implication of Parsons’ vision is the proposed evolution of the Backrooms franchise beyond the confines of pure horror. While the initial film establishes its terrifying premise, Parsons sees the series, particularly a television adaptation, venturing into new thematic territory. He described his comfort zone as "a lot more of an interpersonal sort of drama built on top of a supernatural techno-thriller." This genre-bending approach is a hallmark of many successful modern narratives, allowing for deeper character exploration and complex thematic resonance beyond jump scares and atmospheric dread.
This move could significantly broaden the appeal of the Backrooms universe, attracting audiences who might not typically gravitate towards traditional horror. A "supernatural techno-thriller" could delve into the origins and mechanics of the Backrooms, exploring its scientific and philosophical implications, while the "interpersonal drama" aspect would focus on the human element – the psychological toll, the relationships forged in desperation, and the existential questions posed by such a bizarre reality. This aligns well with A24’s track record of producing genre films that often transcend their initial classifications, earning critical acclaim for their depth and artistic merit.
Perhaps the most reassuring revelation for fans is Parsons’ unwavering commitment to a cohesive, pre-planned narrative. In an era where many long-running franchises are criticized for losing their way or appearing to "make things up as they go along," Parsons stands firm on having a definitive roadmap. "I like to start from the ending [of a project] first, so I know where I’m going," he asserted. "I like to make sure I’m not in the camp of projects that are making themselves up as they go along, and don’t have an actual thread to be holding to the whole time."
This meticulous planning is a direct response to a common frustration among viewers, particularly those who have witnessed beloved series falter in their final acts. "I feel like half the things I’ve grown up with, the final season — they talk about knowing the ending, but it usually feels like they just say that for press, and then it falls apart at the end," Parsons observed, albeit without naming specific examples. His dedication to "making a project that is built from the ground up in such a way that it is going to have continuity and throughlines" promises a satisfying and purposeful journey for the Backrooms saga, regardless of its ultimate format.
As Backrooms prepares to open its portal to audiences worldwide, the excitement extends beyond the immediate terror of the film. Kane Parsons has laid out a compelling vision for a universe that is vast, evolving, and meticulously crafted. His unique blend of independent creative spirit and collaboration with a respected studio like A24 positions Backrooms not just as a new horror film, but as a potential blueprint for a new kind of franchise – one born from the internet, nurtured by a passionate creator, and destined for an expansive, pre-determined journey into the unknown. The cinematic future of the Backrooms is indeed an infinite expanse, and fans can rest assured that its architect knows exactly where it leads.
Pevita Pearce
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