Episode 577 - Backrooms

This week on CinemaChat Podcast, we're stepping into the endless maze of Backrooms (2026), the feature film adaptation of the viral internet horror phenomenon. Directed by Kane Parsons, the film follows a therapist searching for a missing man who has become trapped inside a bizarre alternate reality filled with impossible architecture, mysterious entities, and more questions than answers. We discuss how effectively the film expands the mythology of the original online videos, whether its atmosphere and tension can sustain a feature-length runtime, and how the performances from Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve help ground an otherwise surreal experience. We also examine the film's stunning visual design, and the challenge of balancing mystery with explanation. Along the way, we debate the film's ambiguous ending, compare it to other psychological and liminal-space horror films, and discuss whether Backrooms succeeds as both a standalone movie and an adaptation of a beloved internet phenomenon. So where does Backrooms rank among the year's horror releases, and did it manage to escape the curse of internet-property adaptations? Tune in to hear our full review and final ratings. -- We will be reviewing requests from patrons once a month. If you'd like to request a movie for us to review, head over to Patreon and sign up at $5/month* -- If you want to know what we are watching...What Did We Watch This Week? Dawson on Letterboxd Brent on Letterboxd Reggie on Letterboxd Rob on Letterboxd If you'd like some bonus content from Brent, or to get the show several days early, you can sign up over at Patreon! Follow us on Twitter Brent @XNotMalcolm Rob @Robbap3 Reggie @Hiddanas Dawson @andy_dawson You can also e-mail to us at [email protected] You can find all of our previous scores HERE Thanks for listening!! *We reserve the right to veto a patron request.  If your request is vetoed, you'll be asked to place a different request.