Backrooms (2026): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Backrooms is a 2026 sci-fi horror film directed by Kane Parsons, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor as Clark, Renate Reinsve and Lukita Maxwell. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $400.7 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. Critics gave it 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Director
- Kane Parsons
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- A24
- Budget
- $10M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Backrooms About?
The premise of Backrooms without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
When furniture salesman Clark uncovers a hidden portal in his store’s basement, he becomes trapped in an alternate reality known as the Backrooms. His therapist ventures in to rescue him, only to find a shifting, seemingly infinite maze of abandoned office spaces. As time blurs, a nameless, inhuman presence lurks just beyond sight.
Backrooms Cast & Characters
Chiwetel Ejiofor leads the cast as Clark, with Renate Reinsve as Mary and Lukita Maxwell as Kat. Directed by Kane Parsons; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Director Kane Parsons
-
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Clark -
Renate Reinsve as Mary - Lukita Maxwell as Kat
- Finn Bennett as Bobby
Also Starring in Backrooms
· 16 more- Katharine Isabelle Robin
- Avan Jogia
- Mark Duplass
- Philip Granger Meterman
- Krista Kosonen Nora
- Sarah Hayward Nurse
- Peter New Big Wayne
- Calix Fraser Phil's Child
- Natalie Moon Phil's Wife
- Sawyer Fraser Phil's Child
- Patrick Baynham
- Ember Ambrose Young Mary
- Matthew Patrick Savage Homeless Man
- Robert Bobroczkyi
- Rhiannon Roberts
- Dana Mahmood
Backrooms Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Backrooms 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in story & flow (65).
Backrooms Echo Score Breakdown
Backrooms delivers a haunting, minimalist horror experience that leans heavily on atmosphere and unresolved mystery. Critics commend its visual language and the performances of Reinsve and Ejiofor, while noting the narrative’s deliberate ambiguity. User feedback reflects enthusiasm for the film’s mood and design, though some find the story underdeveloped and confusing. The consensus positions the film as a compelling, if uneven, addition to psychological horror, rewarding viewers who appreciate subtle dread and open‑ended interpretation.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
In terms of direction and visual craft, the film employs an understated color palette and restrained editing that amplify its claustrophobic setting. Critics highlight the effective visual language and minimalist production design, while users praise the immersive atmosphere and found‑footage aesthetic. Some viewers note a reliance on style over narrative payoff, yet the overall craftsmanship is viewed as solid and purposeful.
- Character & Emotion 80
When evaluating performances, both critics and audiences identify Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve as standout contributors. Their nuanced portrayals convey the psychological strain of confinement, adding emotional weight to the sparse narrative. A minority of user comments criticize certain acting choices as exaggerated, but the prevailing view acknowledges the cast’s ability to sustain tension and empathy throughout the film.
- Story & Flow 65
In terms of story and pacing, the film embraces ambiguity, presenting a fragmented plot that resists conventional resolution. Critics note the tension between mystery and narrative necessity, describing the experience as both frustrating and rewarding. User reactions similarly split: some appreciate the open‑ended intrigue, while others lament the lack of clear exposition, resulting in a mixed appraisal of the film’s coherence.
- Sensory Experience 75
The sensory dimension combines a subdued soundtrack with deliberate sound design that reinforces the film’s eerie stillness. Reviewers commend the atmospheric soundscape and the meticulous recreation of liminal spaces, which heighten tension without relying on overt scares. Though a few critics argue the auditory elements are secondary to visual mood, the general consensus affirms a compelling sensory experience.
- Rewatch Factor 78
Concerning rewatch value, the film’s cryptic narrative and layered visual cues invite repeated viewings to uncover hidden details. Critics highlight its lingering mystery as a rewarding element for dedicated audiences, and many users express enthusiasm for theorizing and dissecting the backrooms lore. Conversely, some viewers find the lack of payoff discouraging, yet the prevailing sentiment suggests the movie holds lasting appeal for those intrigued by unresolved horror.
-
IMDb 5.3 /10
177 votes
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 76 Metascore
User score 7.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB
Backrooms Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Backrooms from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In June 1990, a researcher named Naren Warne from the Async Research Institute becomes separated from his group and vanishes into a parallel dimension known as the Backrooms—a labyrinth of dull yellow rooms, flickering fluorescent lights, endless hallways, and oddly malformed furniture. The footage of his ordeal is recovered and later shown to Async scientists on monitors, hinting at something real yet unknowable beyond ordinary reality.
Full summary
The whole story of Backrooms, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Backrooms Box Office & Budget
Backrooms grossed $400.7 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, 40 times what it cost. $197.5 million came from the US and Canada and $203.2 million (51%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$400.7M
40× its budget
- US & Canada
- $197.5M
- International
- $203.2M
- Budget
- $10M
Backrooms Trailers & Videos
13 videos: 1 trailer, 2 teasers, 1 clip, 7 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Teaser Official Teaser
- Teaser Official Promo
- Clip Official Clip
- Featurette Kane Parsons & James Wan - The A24 Podcast
How Well Do You Know Backrooms?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who portrays Clark, the protagonist of the film?
Cars in Backrooms
10 cars on screen, including the 1982 BMW 5 E28 and the 1992 Mercury Sable.
-
1982 BMW 5 E28 Important role -
1992 Mercury Sable Minor role -
1967 Chevrolet C-Series Background role -
1971 Chevrolet Chevelle Background role
Backrooms Also Known As
44 alternative titles, including “Задните стаи” and “Бекрумс”.
- Also known as
-
- Задните стаи
- Бекрумс
- Бекрумсите
- Tagaruumid
- Backrooms: Bez izlaza.
- Arka Odalar
- Backrooms: Za stenou
- นรกห้องลับ
- Backrooms: Brez izhoda
- الباكرومز
- Backrooms: Thực Thể Quỷ Quyệt
- ນະຮົກຫ້ອງລັບ
+32 more Show fewer
- الغرف الخلفية
- באקרומס
- Backrooms: Um Não-Lugar
- Backrooms: O Labirinto
- Закулисье
- Бэкрумс
- แบ็กรูมส์
- Backrooms - Za tebou
- Backrooms: Everything Must Go Edition
- Закулисье реальности
- バックルームズ
- Backrooms: Everything Must Go
- 嚇房:Everything Must Go
- 백룸
- Backrooms: Sin salida
- 後室
- 后室
- Backrooms - Hátsó szobák
- Backrooms. Bez wyjścia
- Backrooms: Bez izejas
- Tagatoad
- Backrooms: Bez izlaza
- Backrooms: Залаштунки
- 嚇房
- Backrooms: Fără ieșire
- Backrooms: Без излаза, კულისები
- الغرفة الخلفية
- Backrooms : Les arrière-salles
- 后 室
- ব্যাকরুমস
- اتاقهای پشتی
- Reallığın pərdəarxası
Seen Backrooms?
Articles About Backrooms
Our article about Backrooms: “Backrooms (2026) Review & Reception: Critics, Fan Opinions, Storytelling & Performance Analysis”.
-
Opinions
Backrooms FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Backrooms, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Backrooms?
Backrooms runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was Backrooms released?
Backrooms was released on May 29, 2026.
Who directed Backrooms?
Backrooms was directed by Kane Parsons.
Who is in the cast of Backrooms?
Backrooms stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Clark, Renate Reinsve as Mary and Lukita Maxwell as Kat, among 20 credited actors.
How much did Backrooms make at the box office?
Backrooms grossed $400.7 million worldwide ($197.5 million domestic, $203.2 million international) on a budget of $10 million.
How is Backrooms rated?
Backrooms has 5.3/10 on IMDb, 76 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.
Does Backrooms have a post-credit scene?
No. Backrooms has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
