Why Backrooms Fails to Deliver True Halloween Horror

The film’s primary shortcoming lies in its character development. While it avoids the tired trope of teenagers being picked off one by one, shifting the focus to adults like Clark and his therapist, Mary, does not necessarily translate into depth. The script lingers on their strained relationship and roleplay sequences, sacrificing potential exploration of the Backrooms' bizarre, distorted reality for mundane interpersonal drama. Audiences are left staring at yellow walls rather than engaging with the surreal horror the premise promises.

Narrative gaps further undermine the experience. The motivations behind Captain Clark’s actions remain opaque, and while some ambiguity can fuel online speculation, here it feels like a lack of cohesion. The film attempts to use the setting as a metaphor for mental health and past abuse, illustrated by a jarring scene involving a still-life version of Clark’s wife. However, these attempts at psychological weight feel disjointed from the lackluster jump scares. By the time the credits roll, the film provides neither satisfying answers nor a compelling reason to invest in a sequel, leaving the audience with little more than a sense of wasted potential.