Hi all!
Today I am reviewing new-release, horror/thriller: Backrooms. It hit cinemas this month, allowing me the opportunity of seeing it on the big screen. After a therapist’s patient disappears into a dimension beyond reality, she must venture through the unknown to save him. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Note: This post is in partnership with JustWatch.
WHAT WORKED:
Not only is Backrooms breaking box-office records, it’s an extraordinary debut film by Kane Parsons. The man is only 20 years old! I could watch an entire separate movie on the making of this feature. Its scope and grandiosity took my breath away. The fact that it was made entirely with practical effects just added to my overall rating (see below). Each room had such detail, colour, breadth, depth and intentionality. Just when I thought it couldn’t wow me more, a character would ascend through a trapdoor in the roof, taking things to new heights (pardon the pun). Not only do I love liminal space in horror, I am a big fan of found footage. I felt like it blended the two filming styles perfectly. Additionally, I want to commend the acting. The lead performances from Chiwetel Eljiofor and Renate Reinsve were outstanding. There were powerful moments of equal dialogue and stillness between them. The lasting effects of trauma and how they manifest from within is explored beautifully here. The way it takes form may shock you. It certainly caught me off guard in the best way. Lastly, the ending made me audibly gasp. I wasn’t expecting it but it worked. It leaves so much to interpretation. The layers are as dense as the source material. Let it sit with you and work its magic.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK:
This film is very polarising. Many find it confusing and vague. The irony is that’s kind of the point. Backrooms can be likened to AI. No matter how close it gets to resembling reality, something is not quite right. In a sense, you’re meant to be perplexed. It’s like trying to explain a dream that felt real whilst you were asleep, yet makes no sense upon waking. If you’re not familiar with the lore and the general concept, it may go over your head. Furthermore, I don’t feel it required a R rating. The scares were intense but the gore/violence was minimal. A lot of the brutality occurred off screen. I understand why that has bothered certain viewers.
OVERALL STAR RATING:
I gave it 5/5 stars. An impressive feat for a director so young!
Have you seen Backrooms? What did you think of it?
Peace & Love xoxo
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