'Backrooms' trailer reveals A24 horror with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve

The first full trailer for Backrooms has been released, offering a closer look at A24’s upcoming sci-fi horror film starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve.

The film is based on the viral Backrooms concept created by Kane Parsons, which originated from online found-footage videos.

The story follows characters who discover a vast, unsettling office-like space hidden behind the walls of a retail building.

The setting is described in the trailer as a maze-like environment that appears to stretch on without end, with dialogue stating, “It’s like a maze — it just goes on and on.” Another line in the trailer adds, “Sometimes I’m scared I’ll get lost,” reflecting the disorienting nature of the space.

The Backrooms concept draws from a creepypasta style of internet storytelling, which gained traction as a user-generated urban legend.

The original short, set in the 1990s, follows a young filmmaker who encounters another dimension. The new adaptation expands on this premise for a feature-length narrative.

Alongside Ejiofor and Reinsve, the cast includes Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett and Lukita Maxwell. The screenplay is written by Will Soodik, known for Ash vs. Evil Dead.

The production team includes James Wan, Michael Clear, Roberto Patino, Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, Dan Levine, Osgood Perkins, Chris Ferguson, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping and Kori Adelson.

The film is produced by 21 Laps, Atomic Monster and Phobos. Its tagline, “Everything Must Go,” appears in promotional material, aligning with the film’s premise, centred on the mysterious and unsettling environment.

Backrooms is scheduled for release in cinemas on May 29, bringing the internet-born concept to a wider audience in a theatrical format.