BACKROOMS is fascinating. So, OBSESSION is probably still the best horror movie this year (it’s just a whole lot more entertaining), but BACKROOMS is wildly original and I’ll be interested to see what it’s like on a second viewing. It’s as much a weird sci-fi movie as it is horror. Like an even more abstract version of Vincenzo Natali’s CUBE,with much better acting and visual effects, flavoured with some strong Lynchian vibes.
It slots into the realm of dreamlike liminal horror, and really gets under your skin. Taking London Underground home afterwards, I think I was more aware than ever of the hiss of the fluorescent lighting, and the repetitive tiling and featureless corridors as I navigated the tunnels like a rat in a maze.
So, yeah – it’s very good. Recommended if you fancy something surreal and fresh. I’d be interested to know what the budget was for it, because it looks REALLY good, with what feels like a huge number of truly enormous sets. The production designers and VFX team really knocked it out the park.
The only quibble I had with it was the ending didn’t quite do it for me. It kind of felt like they ran out of road, or had written themselves into a corner. But I’m sure, given the mega-box-office this film’s made so far, a sequel will be forthcoming. But don’t let me put you off – this is still fantastic filmmaking, and my second-favourite film of the year so far!
