Backrooms movie reddit reactions praise A24 horror, opening to $76M-$79M this weekend

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• From YouTube Viral Phenomenon to A24 Feature
• Reddit Reactions Range from Existential Dread to Pacing Critique
• Critical Reception: Strong Scores, Qualified Praise
• Box Office Momentum: What Triple-Digit Projections Mean for A24
• What This Success Signals for Horror and Youth-Driven Adaptation
• Are Audiences Divided on Narrative Ambition vs. Clarity?
  • Sources

A24’s Backrooms opened Thursday night to $10 million in previews and is tracking for a $76 million to $79 million opening weekend—a remarkable surge from early projections of $20 million to $45 million. The R-rated horror film from 20-year-old director Kane Parsons has generated intense reactions on Reddit, where viewers praise the unsettling atmosphere while debating pacing and narrative ambition.

From YouTube Viral Phenomenon to A24 Feature

Kane Parsons, the YouTube creator behind the viral Backrooms web series, made the jump to theatrical filmmaking with unprecedented results. The original Backrooms concept—a creepypasta exploring liminal spaces and existential dread—built a dedicated fanbase across online communities. A24 greenlit this adaptation with James Wan as producer and Chernin Entertainment backing the project.

The early May premiere at the Aero Theatre in Los Angeles generated immediate critical buzz. Critics were drawn to Parsons‘ assured visual direction and the film’s commitment to atmospheric horror over jump scares. For a feature debut from a YouTube content creator, the critical reception signals a successful transition to prestige horror cinema.

Reddit Reactions Range from Existential Dread to Pacing Critique

Online audiences have responded with nuance. Reddit’s r/A24 and r/moviecritic communities generated over 220 comments in early reaction threads, with viewers describing feelings of “existential dread that made for an unforgettable experience.” Multiple users emphasized that Backrooms delivers “subliminal horror”—a sustained sense of wrongness rather than traditional scares.

However, responses were mixed on pacing. Some Reddit users noted uneven rhythm in the middle sections, where narrative exposition competes with visual atmosphere. Others praised this restraint as intentional, arguing the film mirrors the disorientation of the Backrooms themselves. One verified theater review noted “great visuals but occasional pacing issues,” reflecting broader critical observations. The absence of an end credits scene has also generated discussion, with audiences clarifying they can leave immediately after the final frame.

Critical Reception: Strong Scores, Qualified Praise

The film achieved 87% on Rotten Tomatoes across 97 critical reviews, earning “Certified Fresh” status. The consensus emphasizes Parsons‘ technical control and the production design as standout elements. Empire Online compared it to Eraserhead-level art-horror ambition, praising the surreal atmosphere as “unlike anything else in contemporary horror.”

Performance-wise, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve anchored the narrative. Critics noted they portrayed “two sides of the same coin”—Ejiofor bringing impulsive anger, Reinsve embodying repressed reactions to the supernatural threat. Mark Duplass, in a supporting role as an Async scientist, added cryptic menace to the proceedings. Duplass’ mysterious scientist character deepened the film’s enigmatic tone, leaving key plot details deliberately obscured.

Metric	Score/Value
Rotten Tomatoes (Critics)	87% Certified Fresh
Rotten Tomatoes (Audience)	74% (3.9/5 stars)
Metacritic Score	73 (Generally Favorable)
Thursday Preview Earnings	$10.4 million
Opening Weekend Projection	$76–$79 million
Director Debut Status	Kane Parsons (age 20)

The 73 Metacritic score indicates “generally favorable reviews,” positioning Backrooms as a legitimate critical success despite some reservations about narrative coherence. The gap between critic and audience scores (87% vs. 74%) suggests viewers appreciate the film’s ambition but acknowledge its experimental approach may not satisfy conventional horror expectations.

“A startlingly assured feature debut from director Kane Parsons, Backrooms crafts a surrealistic spell that’s unlike anything else in contemporary horror. While occasionally weighed down by excessive psychologizing, the film’s commitment to liminal space aesthetics and existential dread marks a significant artistic achievement.”

— Rotten Tomatoes Critical Consensus

Box Office Momentum: What Triple-Digit Projections Mean for A24

The $76 million to $79 million opening would represent a historic result for A24, tripling the distributor’s previous record for low-budget horror. Five Nights at Freddy’s held the prior benchmark at roughly $40 million, making Backrooms‘ trajectory unprecedented. The $10.4 million Thursday preview haul—stronger than recent major releases—signals sustained genre enthusiasm among core audiences.

The film’s rapid scaling from initial $20 million estimates to current projections reflects real-time momentum based on early Friday and Saturday box office performance. Industry analysts attribute the surge to Reddit visibility, TikTok discussion threads, and word-of-mouth from preview audiences. The core demographic—18–34 year-old genre enthusiasts familiar with the original web series—turned out in force.

What This Success Signals for Horror and Youth-Driven Adaptation

The Backrooms opening demonstrates renewed audience appetite for cerebral, atmospheric horror over conventional scares. The film’s commercial success alongside strong critical scores validates A24‘s gamble on experimental indie horror. A 20-year-old YouTube creator’s feature debut earning $76 million to $79 million over one weekend fundamentally shifts perceptions about online content creators entering traditional filmmaking.

For streaming and theatrical ecosystems, Backrooms proves that Reddit discussion threads and viral web series can translate into theatrical event cinema. The film’s R rating combined with mature thematic content—existential dread, psychological horror, incomplete narratives—resonates with audiences fatigued by franchise repetition. This positions Backrooms as a significant marker in horror’s evolution toward artist-driven experimental work.

Are Audiences Divided on Narrative Ambition vs. Clarity?

The gap between critical and audience scores reflects legitimate creative tension. Critics praised Parsons‘ vision and technical expertise, while some general audiences found the deliberate ambiguity and pacing choices frustrating. Reddit threads included both “masterpiece” evaluations and “good concept, uneven execution” assessments. This divergence is typical of challenging horror that prioritizes mood over plot resolution.

The film’s refusal to clarify the Backrooms‘ origin or ultimate nature—staying faithful to the creepypasta’s inherent mystery—divides viewers. Those seeking character-driven narrative clarity expressed disappointment. Those who prioritized atmosphere and existential unease praised the restraint. This polarity suggests Backrooms achieved exactly what Parsons intended: a commitment to discomfort over catharsis.

Sources

• Deadline – Box office tracking, preview earnings reporting
• Rotten Tomatoes – Critical score aggregation, verified audience ratings
• Metacritic – Critic consensus scores
• The Hollywood Reporter – Critical reaction roundup and performance analysis
• Empire Online – Performance and direction critique
• Screen Daily – Cast performance evaluation
• Reddit (r/A24, r/moviecritic, r/movies) – Verified audience reactions post-screening
• A24 Films Official – Release information and production details