Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Backrooms Becomes a Hit on HBO Max
Kane Parsons’ “Backrooms,” a feature film produced by A24 and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, is a hit on HBO Max. The 110-minute film, based on the creepypasta series, transitioned from Parsons’ YouTube shorts to a hit with both audiences and critics.
The film represents a successful bet on internet-native intellectual property. The production’s ability to generate a memorable film without a massive budget highlights a shift in how studios approach genre cinema.
From YouTube Shorts to HBO Max
Kane Parsons helmed the feature film at just 20 years old, using a foundation of short-form content he previously created for YouTube. By the time “Backrooms” hit HBO Max, it had become a hit. The so-called backrooms are a series of eerie, seemingly impossible spaces that look like empty office buildings, at least at first glance.
The film’s success is rooted in its execution. Running 110 minutes, it focuses on the character of Clark, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. The story follows Clark, a furniture store owner who discovers a hidden portal to the backrooms, and his therapist, Mary (played by Renate Reinsve), who stumbles into the backrooms, too.
The Production
Parsons utilized a hybrid approach. The production combined massive physical sets with the 3D software Blender to bring the backrooms to life. This decision kept production costs manageable while maintaining an effective quality.
From a business perspective, “Backrooms” is streaming on HBO Max, where it’s become a hit.
Ejiofor’s Performance and Narrative Stakes
Chiwetel Ejiofor portrays Clark as a flawed, violent, bitter man, resentful of his ex-wife and his failed life. This characterization makes him a prime target for the weird, dangerous vibes of the backrooms.
The interplay between Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve provides an emotional anchor to sustain the 110-minute runtime. As the sense of dread builds toward a haunting conclusion, the film demonstrates that Parsons and his team were able to conjure up a prevailing sense of dread.
Industry Implications
The success of “Backrooms” shows that you don’t need a massive budget (or, ugh, AI) to create a memorable film these days. The film’s ability to capture a feeling—a sense that something isn’t quite right—is what drove its performance on HBO Max.