Kane Parsons, the viral YouTube creator known as Kane Pixels, makes his feature directorial debut with A24’s upcoming sci-fi horror film, Backrooms, set to release in theaters on May 29. The movie adapts the eerie liminal spaces from his 2022 found-footage YouTube series and the associated creepypasta mythology, blending internet horror with A24’s signature style, according to Engadget and Variety.
The film stars Oscar-winner Chiwetel Ejiofor and Cannes acclaimed Renate Reinsve, who navigate a nightmarish, surreal maze-like environment described as both cavernous and claustrophobic. The trailer released by A24 showcases intense dread and unsettling atmospheres, capturing the sense of endless horror intrinsic to the Backrooms concept, reports Deadline and Gizmodo.
Backrooms explores a mysterious dimension beyond reality, emphasizing liminality and existential fear. Mashable highlights the film’s focus on transitioning strange, in-between spaces that evoke both fascination and terror, staying true to the viral origin of Parsons’ anthology. The narrative’s horror elements are amplified by the film’s visual and atmospheric design.
Parsons, aged 20, rose to prominence with his viral YouTube shorts that brought a fresh take to the creepypasta genre by presenting the Backrooms as a found-footage horror universe. This film represents a major milestone in his career, expanding the story from brief online videos to a full-length cinema experience, as noted by Variety.
Industry watchers will be keen to see how Parsons’ distinct visionary style translates to the big screen and how the film performs with audiences familiar or new to the source material. The May 29 theatrical debut will provide a benchmark for Parsons’ potential future in horror cinema and the continued mainstream appeal of internet-born horror narratives.
The Backrooms
Renate Reinsve
Zuby Ejiofor
A24
Micah Parsons
