Backrooms 2: Does the New Kane Parsons Movie Set Up a Direct Sequel?

Backrooms is the film adaptation of YouTuber Kane Parsons’ web series of the same name, which was based on the “Backrooms” creepypasta. The movie falls into the liminal horror subgenre and portrays backrooms as this out-of-reality extradimensional expanse of empty rooms. This lore-filled concept, combined with complex characters played by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, has made the movie a hit with both critics and fans. Ejiofor plays a troubled man, Clark, and Reinsve plays his therapist, Dr. Mary Kline.

When Clark goes missing after revealing a portal in his basement, Mary sets out to investigate his disappearance (and his claim). She finds Clark living in the Backrooms with copies of real-world people. Mary’s complicated childhood makes things even more difficult for her in the Backrooms. The ending of the movie paves the way for a potential sequel.

The young blood behind the scenes, the big horror movie names involved, and the very unsettling nature of this internet folklore make this movie one of the horror movies of May 2026 to look out for. Alan French of FandomWire gave it a score of 5/10 in our review of Backrooms.

How does the Ending of Backrooms Set Up a Sequel?

In Backrooms, a tall black humanoid creature called Lifeform pursues and kills anyone who falls into these corridors. The monster murders Clark’s employees who were exploring the realm with him. Mary enters the realm to find an insane Clark, who ties her up. She is able to eventually convince Clark to release her, but the Lifeform appears at this time and kills Clark when he tries to calm it down.

The monster then goes after Mary, who manages to evade the monster. She runs into Async scientists, who knock her out and take her back to their headquarters in the real world. They also capture the Lifeform, and one of the scientists, Phil, explains to Mary that Async studies and maps the entire Backrooms. In the final moments of the movie, we see Mary’s memories in the Backrooms and a mutilated form of her in the interrogation room.

Now, there are two possibilities. First, Mary is really back in the real world after experiencing the Backrooms. It means that her character will never get to have a normal life after that incident, and she may join Async to further study the realm. Second, she is still in the Backrooms, and the Async corporation could be part of the realm itself. The final montage of Mary in the Backrooms looks eerily similar to what Clark experienced.

In the first case, a sequel could explore Mary’s further exploration of the realm, while we get some answers to the final montage scene. In the second case, a sequel could explore Mary’s further adventures down in the Backrooms. Both versions of the sequel could bring back Clark and Lifeform, along with Mary.

Will Backrooms 2 Be a Direct Sequel or Tell Another Story?

Renate Reinsve in a still from Backrooms | Credits: A24

The ending of Backrooms also leaves another possibility, not involving Mary’s story at all. In a footage at the beginning of the movie, we see Async researcher Naren Warne who explores the space and eventually gets killed by the Lifeform. We later meet Phil, another Async scientist, who observes Clark and allegedly brings Mary safely back to the real world. It is only logical to assume that more Async scientists are out there studying the backrooms and mapping them.

A sequel movie could follow Phil’s investigation into another person who finds the realm. It could also follow a completely new researcher’s investigation. The movie is set in 1990, a year after Async accidentally opened a door to the Backrooms. A sequel could also follow one of the stories before Async finding out about the realm, or a story that comes long after this 1990-set story.

The possibilities for a non-direct sequel are countless. However, for Kane Parsons’ unique concept, the best way forward would be to stick with a known character, either Mary or Phil, and develop the story further from their perspective.

What sequel of the movie would you prefer? Let us know in the comments below!

Backrooms is running successfully in theaters from May 29, 2026.