The filmmaker Kane Parsons has turned a quirky internet meme into a cinematic phenomenon, with his eerie horror film Backrooms. The movie, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, is both a tribute to its online origins and a sophisticated film that resonates onscreen.

Parsons’ journey from a nine-minute YouTube video in 2022 to A24’s youngest director speaks volumes about the power of viral content. His vision, inspired by a 2019 4chan post, captured the zeitgeist and attracted an obsessed fanbase who eagerly debated every detail.

With its grim and expansive hallways, Backrooms is a chilling exploration of liminal spaces. Clark, played by Ejiofor, finds himself trapped in these endless rooms, struggling to make sense of his reality amidst layers of psychological turmoil. The film’s atmosphere is both claustrophobic and overwhelming, mirroring the eerie feeling of being lost in an internet rabbit hole.

Parsons’ challenge was to balance the expectations of a dedicated online community with the broader audience. His decision to keep many elements ambiguous serves as a nod to the infinite possibilities that the internet offers—both thrilling and terrifying.

The absence of modern technology, like Google or YouTube, in an ostensibly contemporary setting is a clever narrative device. It not only heightens the sense of isolation but also reflects on our reliance on digital tools for understanding the world around us.