I walked into Backrooms knowing absolutely nothing about the franchise, lore, YouTube series, or the world created by Kane Pixels. My kids were excited to see it, but I intentionally went in completely blind.
The result? I left the theater asking one question:
"What the hell did I just watch?"
In this solo review, I break down my spoiler-free thoughts on the film, discuss its atmosphere, performances, psychological horror elements, and why it left me both impressed and confused. I also take a detour into one of my favorite topics—box office performance—examining how original films like Backrooms and Obsession are finding success in a market dominated by major franchises and blockbuster budgets.
Then, after diving into the history and lore of the Backrooms phenomenon, I revisit the film from a completely different perspective. From its origins as a viral internet image to Kane Pixels' groundbreaking YouTube series, I explore how understanding the mythology behind Backrooms changed the way I viewed the movie and ultimately raised my score.
Initial Score: 7.5/10 Final Score After Learning the Lore: 9/10
If you're a longtime Backrooms fan, let me know what I got right—or wrong. If you're brand new like I was, consider this your first step down the rabbit hole.
