Based on his YouTube series of same name (inspired by the creepypasta), Kane Parsons makes his feature-length directorial debut, with screenplay credited to Will Soodik.
Chiwetel Ejiofor - Clark
Renate Reinsve - Dr. Mary Kline
Mark Duplass - Phil
Finn Bennett - Bobby
Lukita Maxwell - Kat
Avan Jogia - Naren Warne
Summary
On 19 June 1990 in Santa Clara Valley, scientists from the Async Research Institute watch recovered footage of researcher Naren Warne, who was attacked by an unknown entity during an expedition in an inter-dimensional place dubbed the Backrooms.
Later that month, furniture store owner and failed architect Clark is struggling with alcoholism and his wife Barbara has recently left him. He regularly visits his therapist Mary, who has her own shit to deal with, including her mentally ill mother.
After Clark decides to live in his Ottoman Empire, electrical anomalies lead him to the basement, and he phases through a wall into the Backrooms.
While exploring liminal environment (where dead birds, malformed furniture and uncanny hallways are commonplace), he's chased by an unseen creature and escapes back into the regular store.
Clark tells Mary about what happened, but she thinks outlandish claims are the result of another drinking bender.
Some time later, Mary receives an ominous voicemail from Clark and goes looking for him.
Tables don't bleed blood
An assured, mature and stylish debut by a guy who ironically can't even legally drink yet.
Leads embrace surreal landscape and psychological trauma with vim and vigor.
Rather than employing traditional jump scares, claustrophobic dread is impressively crafted using unsettling sound design and dazzling sets.
The influence of David Lynch, The Shining and M. C. Escher are there for all to see, and towards the end, set up of dinner scene is basically The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), until a monstrous pirate enters the fray and kills Clark.
Some have compared this to Apple TV series Severance, which was apparently inspired by Parson's web series, but it's more like Japanese horror Exit 8, adapted from 2023 indie video game The Exit 8.
However, filmmakers may face legal action from Mark Z. Danielewski, as shit is eerily similar to his acclaimed debut novel House of Leaves (2000), as a family discover an ever-expanding labyrinth in their house.
