The Mosley Review: Backrooms

Now this one was interesting. I only have a very slim amount of knowledge of the origins of the series this was based on, but from what I saw, I enjoyed. This film captures what most horror films attempt and slightly get right. Not only do we get a slow burn of atmospheric tension, but we get the best of what found footage films used to be. Those moments were genuinely creepy and almost scared me because its not what's in front of the camera, but what's on the side of the frame that freaks me out. I loved the sense of disorientation when we are in the titular location and how each corner featured something odd and intriguing. The film tries to balance the tension and thrills with a very grounded human story that sometimes doesn't really have a resolve or progression. The onscreen talent do guide us through those themes of depression and desperation, but they truly sale the terror of discovery in this new parallel universe of unknown origin.

Chiwetel Ejiofor is always a welcomed sight on screen and as the furniture store owner, Clark, he delivers yet another compelling performance. There is alot of depression and strain going in Clark's life and it may not seem like we get alot of time with him, but what we get is a fully developed character thanks to Ejiofor's outstanding performance. I felt I understood him more once he finds the door to the backrooms. The mental journey he goes through in record time and how he helps us the audience understand that place was fantastic. Finn Bennett and Lukita Maxwell were great as his only employees Bobby and Kat. They were a good couple and I loved their reactions when they witness Clark's discovery. Through them, you get the full experience of the found footage genre and how fun and scary it used to be. Mark Duplass was great as Phil and I won't spoil his part in the film, but what we got with him was equally important and fun. Renate Reinsve was fantastic as Clark's therapist, Dr. Mary Kline. I liked that there is an unresolved trauma within her that’s visually explored and how it is linked to the backrooms was great. The doctor and patient relationship between her and Clark was explored in a simple but effective way in one of the most twisted scenes of the film. I loved seeing her explore the backrooms the most because she shows an a great deal of empathy in her discovery toward the last half of the film.

The score by Edo Van Breemen and Kane Parsons was eerie and haunting in the best way. I loved how it was used strategically to ratchet up the tension towards the middle of the film, but it didn't break the immersion. The greatest strength of the film is its visuals and I loved the clean and colorful design of the backrooms themselves. Each corridor and corner really had some of the best lighting and added to the immersion and sense of dread as you didn't know what lay beyond the shadows. Like I said, this was a slow burn of a thriller that has elements of body horror that I enjoyed, but I did feel as if the pacing could've picked up a bit in the middle. Perhaps one more moment of disorientation and confusion would've really sold the desperation of Clark or even Mary harder. Overall, I did enjoy how the film wrapped up and how it earned its ending. For a debut film, I say Kane Parsons has delivered an impressive debut with a clear vision a world that I can’t wait to explore further. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!