What Critics Are Saying About A24's Horror Film
The Hollywood Reporter • • general
Key Points:
- A24’s horror film Backrooms, directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, is set to release Friday and currently holds an 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes with a projected $45-50 million opening weekend.
- The film adapts Parsons’ viral YouTube series and follows therapist Dr. Mary Kline entering an alternate dimension after her patient disappears, with producers including James Wan and Osgood Perkins.
- Reviews highlight the film’s strong atmosphere and surrealistic style, with critics praising its balance of horror and comedy, though some note issues with pacing and narrative coherence.
- Mark Duplass defended Parsons’ directorial control amid rumors, emphasizing the young director’s command over the production compared to older filmmakers.
- Critics from The Hollywood Reporter and the Associated Press found the film’s eerie elements and backstory intriguing but felt the movie struggled to fully realize its psychological and narrative potential.