The Backrooms sequel needs to steal this viral art trend

Alongside Obsession, Backrooms has been one of the biggest breakthrough movies of the year. A concept devised from an anonymous 2019 creepypasta has now grossed over $380 million worldwide, and it's spurred more interest in an internet legend that's inspired a community of digital artists and creators.

Kane Parsons, the director of the A24-produced cinematic interpretation was just one of those creators when he began posting his Blender-animated YouTube series back in 2022. The wider community is as productive as ever – and they have plenty of ideas for the Backrooms sequel.

Although the original photo that inspired the phenomenon was traced to an abandoned furniture store in Wisconsin, creative fans have been inspired by the idea that Backrooms existed long before the crimes of 1970s interior decor – perhaps even before humans walked the Earth.

A viral trend on social media has seen artists approach the Backrooms concept and aesthetic in myriad historical settings and art styles. They've imagined the mysterious yellow-hued liminal space as it might be interpreted by prehistoric man, Ancient Egyptians, medieval artists and even during the time of dinosaurs.

The trend really took off with a post from Project Crater on X. That set off a flurry of new interpretations from artists all over the world.

Some have depicted Backrooms through time using historic art styles as an approximation of how people might have attempted to represent their experiences of it in different periods. Others have taken a photo realistic approach showing people from different periods but in a modern 3D art style made in Blender, the same 3D modelling software that Kane used to make his original Backrooms YouTube series.

The beauty of the trend is how it also adds to Backrooms lore. It's no longer one place in time and space but some in-between maze that's been haunting humanity forever – and in all corners of the world with various entrances. It also shows why A24's Backrooms copyright claim was so controversial.

Some imagine that how the Backrooms look would also evolve over time, while others imagine the space to always have resembled a 1970s office with nauseating yellow walls, with only the look of the outside world changing. People have also been imagining the concept in non-Western art styles.

Backrooms through time - YouTube

Watch On

The Brazilian artist Tony Warrior has even imagined Scooby-Doo in the Backrooms. Given the upcoming anime Scooby-Doo and the weird Netflix live-action Scooby-Doo, that might actually not be such a remote possibility.

Some fans are now convinced a Backrooms sequel should explore this concept of the place having always having existed. Kane himself has said in interviews that he wants to make his Backrooms into an anthology, with the most recent reports saying that he was seeking a screenwriter to collaborate with.

It's too early to know whether what emerges will have a historical setting, but remember that nobody owns the copyright to Backrooms. Other creators are free to create their own Backrooms prequels, and with the amount of creativity that the legend has inspired, I'm sure that somebody will make a Backrooms through time.

If you're looking to get started on your own project, make sure you check our guides to the best laptops for 3D modelling and the best monitors for graphic artists.