Backrooms’ Rotten Tomatoes Score Is Great News for Horror Fans

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This article contains discussions about Backrooms’ early reviews

I was so excited for A24’s Backrooms – it looked like it was going to be one of the most interesting horror films of 2026! The director, Kane Parsons, is the one who originally made those incredibly popular Backrooms videos online, so he really understands the source material. This movie takes that creepy online idea and brings it to the big screen with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve starring as a therapist and her patient who find a strange door. It leads them into this never-ending, unsettling maze, and from what I’ve seen, it’s just like his videos – really focused on creating a disturbing atmosphere and a genuinely creepy feeling. It’s less about jump scares and more about getting under your skin!

Adapting internet horror to film is usually tricky, so fans are tentatively hopeful about the new movie Backrooms. But initial reviews are very positive, suggesting A24 might have created something truly unique. Critics are especially impressed with the film’s creepy atmosphere, striking visuals, and how well Kane Parsons brought the unsettling world of the Backrooms from the internet to the big screen without losing its original scare factor. With strong early reviews and a promising Rotten Tomatoes score, Backrooms looks like a win for horror fans, ahead of its May 29th release.

Backrooms’ Early Reception is Incredibly Positive

It’s Enough to Convince Horror Fans to View This on the Big Screen

As of May 28th, early reviews on Rotten Tomatoes give Backrooms an 88% approval rating – a very positive score, especially for a horror film with such a unique concept. Critics consistently praise the movie’s unsettling atmosphere and its focus on psychological horror rather than relying on typical jump scares. According to Rotten Tomatoes, reviewers generally consider the movie to be:

An unsettling, atmospheric freakout that will dismantle your sense of reality

Film critics are hailing Parsons as a promising new director, and the positive response to their movie Backrooms goes beyond just its internet origins. Many reviewers have commented on how original and innovative the film feels. The Guardian called it “chillingly unsettling” and praised its ability to redefine the horror genre, while SlashFilm described it as a deeply disturbing and surreal experience. A key reason for the praise is Parsons’ skill in maintaining the mysterious and unsettling atmosphere of the original web series while crafting a more expansive story. Instead of offering easy answers or turning the concept into a typical horror movie, Backrooms leans into confusion, dread, and dreamlike visuals.

Backrooms’ Early Success is Exciting For Horror Fans

The Movie Fits Into Positive Hollywood Horror Trends

The positive reception to Backrooms is encouraging for horror fans, because it hints that film studios are starting to understand how to bring online scares to the screen without losing what makes them frightening in the first place. Series like The Backrooms, Local 58, and Gemini Home Entertainment gained a following because they felt disturbingly authentic and uniquely different.

The positive early response to Backrooms is a welcome sign, especially since audiences are hungry for fresh, original stories. Recent horror films like Barbarian, Talk to Me, and Sinners have shown there’s a real demand for unique and unsettling movies that build suspense, rather than relying on reboots and remakes. Backrooms appears to follow this trend, while also exploring new ways to tell stories inspired by internet culture. The fact that Kane Parsons, at just 20 years old, is directing for A24 also marks a change in how Hollywood finds new talent. A24 took a chance on a creator who already understood what made the Backrooms concept so frightening online, instead of relying on established, older properties.

It’s still unclear if Backrooms will be a big hit in theaters, but early reviews on Rotten Tomatoes indicate horror fans should definitely check it out. The film shows that truly unsettling and creative horror can reach a wider audience without sacrificing its unique qualities. At a time when many horror movies feel predictable, Backrooms seems to genuinely disturb viewers in fresh ways, which is great news for those who enjoy atmospheric and psychologically driven horror.

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2026-05-29 00:05