HOLY SHIT. This was incredible and completely exceeded my expectations. I was insanely excited for this movie from the moment it was announced. A24 always delivers something that feels different from everything else out there, so from the way they marketed "Backrooms", I already knew this wasn't going to be a conventional horror/psychological-horror film. I knew it was going to be a unique experience, something I'd never really seen or feels before. And when they announced a special screening, there was absolutely no way I was passing up the chance to watch it early before its June 10 release here (which also happens to be my birthday lol. It would've made for a pretty special birthday watch, but honestly? There was no way I could wait that long🤪). Trying to review or even describe a film this abstract and conceptually ambitious feels like trying to describe a dog to someone who's never seen one before and then asking them to draw it (‼️‼️‼️). Literally. The film perfectly captures what it feels like to experience the world of "Backrooms" for the first time, and it stuck with me long after the credits rolled. I knew about "Backrooms" and liminal space thingz before watching this, but I wasn't deeply familiar with the original YouTube series or its origin. Kane Parsons is genuinely one of the most exciting young directors working today. The fact that he (with the help of James Wan & Osgood Perkins) managed to create a world this immersive and unsettling at such a young age is already impressive enough, but the craziest part is that this is his feature film debut. And yet nothing about it feels amateur. Every technical aspect: from the cinematography to the color grading and overall visual design is stunning. It perfectly captures the strange, liminal aesthetic that made the "Backrooms" so fascinating in the first place. What impressed me most is how the film turns spaces, rooms, and everyday objects or specifically office room into sources of terror instead of relying on monsters or living entities like most horror movies do. And it works. The atmosphere is relentlessly creepy from beginning to end. The score gave me chills, the tension never lets up, and there are so many references, easter eggs, and real-world inspirations hidden throughout the film that you'll probably miss half of them on a first watch. This definitely won't be for everyone, and I think the filmmakers knew that. "Backrooms" never tries to be mainstream, and that's exactly why I admire it. You can feel the passion behind every frame. I could easily give this 5 stars right now, but there are still so many questions I need to sit with after my first viewing. Even so, I was completely locked in from start to finish and couldn't take my eyes off the screen for a second. I'll probably dive into the original YouTube series before rewatching this because I have a feeling there's so much more hidden beneath the surface. Special shoutout to Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, who fully committed to bringing Kane Parsons' vision to life. Renate, you're a star, and this is absolutely your year💫 Enough with the long yap. Trust me: this movie will mess with your head, flood your body with adrenaline, and take you on one of the most unsettling journeys you'll experience in a theater this year.