A24 has decided to put up some wallpaper and call it a poster. At least that’s the idea they went with in promoting Kane Parsons’ upcoming “The Backrooms.”
Know what? I admire the sheer audacity of this move. Just plaster this poster in theaters nationwide, and let the thing market itself. No flashy taglines, no gimmicky graphics—just yellowish-beige wallpaper.
The yellowish‑beige palette fits in with Parsons’ YouTube short films, on which this feature is based. He was actually just 19 when A24 tapped him to direct a feature-length adaptation of his viral hit, “The Backrooms.” Roberto Patino (“DMZ”) wrote the screenplay.
Although specific plot points remain under wraps, the original YouTube series employed a found-footage style to explore eerie spaces that feel like they exist just beyond the boundaries of reality. Its slow-burning tension and DIY visual effects captivated millions of viewers and built an immense online following.
Between Parsons, YouTube duo RackaRacka’s critical success with “Talk to Me” and “Bring Her Home,” not to mention the box office success of Markiplier’s “Iron Lung,” it’s clear that online creators are continuing to make serious inroads into traditional filmmaking.
The ‘Backrooms’ cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell, and Avan Jogia. Shawn Levy and James Wan are among the many producers. The film is set to hit theaters on May 29, 2026.
Note: I’m hearing a ‘Backrooms’ trailer will be released online tomorrow.
