For die-hard horror fans, no movie is too scary. But for you, the cowards, the wrong one can leave you in utter despair. Fear not, cowards, because fear scale Slate here to help. We have developed a highly scientific and mostly spoiler-free A rating system for new horror films, comparing them to classics on a scale of 1 to 10. And since not everyone is scared by the same things—some viewers hate sudden jump scares, while others are haunted by psychological horror or can't stand the feeling of heart palpitations—she analyzes each film's scares based on three criteria: tension, creepiness, and gore.
«"Backrooms" , A24's hit horror film based on a classic internet phenomenon, has officially become the studio's highest-grossing film of all time in the U.S. By Wednesday, just six days after its release, the film, which was one of the most anticipated releases of the year, had earned both critical acclaim and $100 million at the box office, officially surpassing« Marty Supreme" with Timothy Chalamet in the leading role, which earned $96 million in the US. Surprisingly, «Behind the Scenes» — is the brainchild of a teenager: 20-year-old Kane Parsons, whose viral YouTube shorts about a creepy internet meme inspired A24 to hire the then 17-year-old to create a feature film.
The action of the film "Behind the Scenes"« Set in the 1990s and incorporating elements of the found footage genre, the film follows Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a furniture store owner struggling with alcoholism and a recent divorce from his wife. When he stumbles upon the entrance to an unknown realm of endless office rooms harbouring mysterious dangers, he decides to explore these hidden spaces, unknowingly drawing his therapist, Dr. Mary Kline (Renate Reinswe), into his perilous adventure. «Behind the Scenes» , and another film that is now widely discussed, «Obsession» , are a testament to the success of Hollywood, which relies on YouTube-bred talent to create today's most popular horror films. Moreover, «Behind the Scenes» exceeded all expectations, and Parsons is already planning a sequel.
But none of this answers the film's biggest question: how scary is it? Judging by Parsons' early YouTube shorts, the answer is very scary . But does the full-length justify movie «Behind the scenes anticipation that causes anxiety?
Photo illustration by Slate. Photos courtesy of A24 and Getty Images Plus.
In the film "Behind the Scenes"« the sound design is inevitably reminiscent in many ways «A Quiet Place» , given that much of the liminal space the characters navigate is filled with an eerie silence. Of course, this means the hidden realm is the perfect place to ramp up the tension as the characters slink around corners, hoping nothing sinister awaits them. The premise creates plenty of sudden, frightening moments, but «Behind the Scenes» keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat without always delivering unexpected surprises. However, rest assured, their Quite a few. The film's running time is filled with strange appearances that unsettle the viewer, such as birds screaming out of nowhere and themed rooms in the maze that become increasingly creepy—there's a particularly well-done scene with a Christmas-themed room—until a release of tension returns you to calm, before the anxiety begins to return again.
Photo illustration by Slate. Photos courtesy of A24 and Getty Images Plus.
Movie «Behind the Scenes» Parsons' world doesn't aim to scare the hell out of the audience or disgust them. Instead, it's more focused on making the skin crawl and the hairs on your arms stand on end. Therefore, Parsons' world isn't particularly gory. There are occasional moments when the monsters from this world attack people, but the damage is done off-screen, leaving only blood stains in their wake. There are also several people disfigured in unnatural, grotesque ways, but this isn't so much upsetting as it is disturbing. At one point, when the backstory of some of the creatures from the Backstage is revealed, it seems likely to evoke a feeling of revulsion. But alas, this feeling is negated by the rather banal concept.
Photo illustration by Slate. Photos courtesy of A24 and Getty Images Plus.
This was the most difficult element of the film to evaluate. «Behind the Scenes» . The film successfully creates an atmosphere of dread and unease, reaching its climax when the action unfolds in the vast expanses of Backstage, trapping both the audience and the characters. Parsons brilliantly combines labiophobia with a fear of the unknown.
However, the film's depiction of the mechanisms for accessing the Backstage prevents the plot from instilling horror after the credits, when the nightmares usually begin. In Parsons' world, the Backstage can be reached simply by passing through a specific section of the wall in the basement of a furniture store. This is where part of the illusion breaks: the fact that several characters voluntarily return to this terrifying alternate reality and are so reluctant to leave immediately, even with the option, is a bit distracting. When the worst of what lies within the Backstage befalls them, it's difficult to feel sympathy for them, and even harder to imagine their demise as something you yourself could fall victim to. Think of all of us who have even a shred of common sense, protected from consciously entering a twisted labyrinth of horror reminiscent of the Upside Down.
Photo illustration by Slate. Photos courtesy of A24 and Getty Images Plus.
The "Behind the Scenes" section of the film «Behind the Scenes» is superb, well-crafted, and incredibly unsettling. While the film's plot could have been a bit better, overall it's an achievement. The film excels at what all horror films should do: evoke feelings we'd rather not experience in real life. All the techniques and tricks Parsons employs, a mastery proven by the intense terror evoked by his early shorts, are employed at the right moments and in a way that brings a fresh perspective to the horror genre.
At the same time, my mother always warned me never to pass through walls that contradict the laws of metaphysics and lead into eerie, endless labyrinths of yellow rooms. The whole drama« Behind the Scenes» would have been resolved if they had simply turned around. And this, as one might expect, somewhat detracts from the overall impression.