A YouTube series that spawned an internet horror phenomenon, with 30 billion views on TikTok, is being turned into a Hollywood film, the BBC has learned.
The film, titled Backrooms, is based on the eerie videos created by YouTuber Kane Parsons. His series features endless, creepy yellow corridors that have become a staple of online horror. The original videos gained a cult following before exploding in popularity on TikTok, where the hashtag has amassed 30 billion views.
“YouTuber Kane Parsons' internet horror series, the Backrooms, is being adapted into a Hollywood film. The phenomenon has generated 30 billion views on TikTok, with its eerie yellow corridors becoming a cultural touchstone. The adaptation marks a milestone for online horror.”
The adaptation marks a significant milestone for the so-called 'creepypasta' genre, which has its roots in online forums and has increasingly crossed over into mainstream entertainment. The Backrooms concept, first posted as a short story on 4chan in 2019, describes a labyrinth of monotonous office spaces that can be accessed by 'noclipping' out of reality. Parsons' YouTube series, which began in 2022, visualised this with unsettling realism.
In the UK, the Backrooms phenomenon has resonated particularly with younger audiences, who have shared their own interpretations on platforms like TikTok. The 30 billion views figure reflects a global audience, but British users have contributed significantly to the trend, with many UK-based creators producing their own versions of the Backrooms aesthetic. The film's release is likely to attract attention from horror fans across the country, many of whom have followed the story since its early days on YouTube.
Parsons, who is now in his early 20s, has been praised for his atmospheric filmmaking. His series uses a combination of found-footage style and digital effects to create a sense of dread. The upcoming film adaptation is expected to expand on the lore, though details of the plot and cast have not yet been confirmed.
The Hollywood film follows a growing trend of internet-native horror stories being picked up by major studios. Previous examples include the Slender Man film and the upcoming adaptation of the SCP Foundation. The Backrooms film is being produced with the involvement of Parsons, ensuring that the original vision remains intact.
What This Means For You For UK horror enthusiasts, the Backrooms film represents the mainstreaming of a genre that started in online communities. Fans who have followed Parsons' work from the beginning will likely see a faithful adaptation, with his creative input. The film may also introduce the Backrooms to a wider audience, potentially sparking new interest in internet creepypasta. For those unfamiliar with the series, the film offers a chance to experience one of the most viral horror concepts of the decade on the big screen. The 30 billion TikTok views underscore the cultural impact of the Backrooms, and the film's release is expected to generate significant buzz in the UK, particularly among younger viewers who have already engaged with the content online.