American Horror Stories Backrooms: A Disappointing Adaptation

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Summary

  • “Backrooms” episode didn’t fully embrace the online lore & could have been stronger.
  • The main storyline was complex, detracting from Daniel’s story.
  • Fans felt “Backrooms” could’ve been scarier & delved deeper into the backrooms’ lore.

In October 2024, the second half of American Horror Stories season 3 was released, showcasing five spine-tingling stories. These included a creature lurking under a bed, a wicked leprechaun, a man experimenting with self-replication, a chilling hospital setting, and the intriguing “backrooms” concept. Previous seasons offered fresh interpretations of the “Bloody Mary” myth and a suspenseful tale about an enigmatic family near a mysterious lake, although opinions were divided on the conclusion of that specific episode. The current season has garnered positive feedback, leaving fans eager to learn if there will be more episodes in the future.

Although the “Backrooms” episode from “American Horror Stories” is undeniably captivating, it may not be the most successful adaption of the internet legend. There was potential for a more powerful portrayal.

The American Horror Stories Episode “Backrooms” Could Have Been A Better Exploration Of Liminal Spaces

When fans of the series, American Horror Stories, were given the opportunity to view season 4’s episode titled “Backrooms,” they eagerly anticipated how the popular Internet legend would be translated for television. However, despite the strong performances and compelling main storyline, the portrayal of the “Backrooms” fell flat and was rather underwhelming compared to what could have been achieved.

As I, Michael Imperioli, I find myself navigating through unfamiliar, eerie locales – rooms with green hues that seem to lead to more rooms, as well as an abandoned store. These peculiar places, known as “backrooms,” have been a topic of online discussion for quite some time now. In the year 2019, posts on 4Chan started discussing this concept, and Kane Parsons even created a web series titled “Backrooms” and a short film named “The Backrooms,” delving into this idea. However, although these scenes are undeniably chilling, they don’t quite reach the level of terror one might expect.

In more casual terms, some recent episodes of “American Horror Stories,” such as “X,” have a spooky vibe and satisfying conclusions, but “Backrooms” falls short in comparison. Instead, the episode might have been more effective if it had focused on Daniel exploring linked rooms with green walls – this is the traditional depiction of “backrooms” that people know from their online experiences. Unfortunately, since Daniel wanders around an empty supermarket, it seems like he could be anywhere, making the backrooms idea less impactful.

The “Backrooms” episode of American Horror Stories might have benefited from streamlining the plot and concentrating more on Daniel’s investigation into his personal predicament. Although the disclosure that he had killed his son, Roman (Matthew Eby), is grim and shocking, it’s in line with the Ryan Murphy anthology series’ penchant for unexpected twists. However, some viewers might argue that the episode could have been more impactful without this particular storyline.

In a different scenario, the story might have started with Daniel finding himself in the mysterious backrooms, pondering his arrival. A more impactful approach could have been to portray Daniel as someone who had been trapped in the backrooms eternally instead of constantly shifting between the backrooms and the normal world. Given Daniel’s self-centered nature and prioritization of wealth and fame over his family, his son’s death might not have been necessary for him to end up in the backrooms. The narrative could also delve into a character investigating the origin of the backrooms and discovering who created them and why. Unfortunately, when the episode concluded, it left audiences feeling that there was more to explore. Furthermore, the character’s journey could encompass two distinct subreddits: r/backrooms and r/TrueBackrooms, as some argue that the lore has evolved too much, and the initial images of these rooms are considered the most authentic.

What Did Fans Think Of The American Horror Stories Episode “Backrooms”?

Although many viewers enjoyed the “American Horror Stories” episode titled “Bestie”, some felt that the “Backrooms” installment fell short of its intriguing promise, as stated by Redditor @vacantobsessions.

The episode might have been much more terrifying if they incorporated some of the creatures I’ve encountered in horror stories from backwoods forums.

Reddit user telekeneticeleven011 concurred that a more comprehensive account of the ‘Backrooms lore’ would have been beneficial.

In my view, the storyline about the Backrooms felt underwhelming. I believe the episode could have been more engaging if it was presented in a style reminiscent of found footage like Kane Pixels, following a team exploring this mystery, and speculating on the reasons behind the existence of the Backrooms.

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2025-04-15 23:54