Chiwetel Ejiofor Surprised by Scale of 'Backrooms' Film Set, Mistaking Online Shorts for Previous Builds

As the release of A24's "Backrooms" film draws near, horror aficionados and particularly fans of horror games eagerly anticipate its arrival. This cinematic adaptation endeavors to bring to life a widely recognized and cherished internet creepypasta, directed by Kane Parsons. Given the abundance of inventive "Backrooms" content already circulating online, the standards are considerably high, yet Parsons appears to have risen to the challenge, notably through the construction of an enormous set that left even the cast members astounded.

Esteemed actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, celebrated for his performances in films such as "The Martian," "12 Years a Slave," and "Love Actually," conveyed his initial misapprehension regarding the set's originality. He confessed in an interview that he was unaware this was the inaugural physical set built for the "Backrooms" universe, having assumed from the existing short films that such an environment had been previously constructed. This sentiment is understandable, as the various online "Backrooms" shorts and interactive games often present environments with such convincing realism that one might easily believe these liminal spaces and endless corridors genuinely exist. This perception likely stems from the fact that the original inspiration for the "Backrooms" is indeed a tangible location: a Hobbytown store in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

However, the film's set surpasses its real-world counterpart significantly in magnitude. Parsons oversaw the creation of a sprawling 30,000-square-foot environment, so vast that, as he disclosed in an interview, even some individuals involved in the production became disoriented. Ejiofor recounted his excitement upon learning of the set's pioneering nature, further fueled by Parsons' palpable enthusiasm for the project. Despite the inherent complexity of navigating such an immense and intricate space, the opportunity to engage with a physically immersive and tactile set was, for Ejiofor, an immensely rewarding experience.

The creation of such an expansive and detailed set for the "Backrooms" film demonstrates a commitment to authenticity and immersive storytelling. It underscores the power of imagination and collaborative effort to transform digital legends into tangible realities, captivating both cast and audience alike. This ambitious undertaking not only honors the rich lore of the internet phenomenon but also elevates the experience, inviting viewers to confront the unknown in a deeply visceral way, reminding us that the boundaries of creativity are truly limitless.