This year’s Backrooms from Kane Parsons isn’t the first horror movie to tap into the dread of liminal spaces, but its overwhelming success has undeniably opened the door for other filmmakers. Movies like Skinamarink, Vivarium, and even The Blair Witch Project all previously explored the idea of being trapped in a place that would otherwise be mundane and boring yet its seeming endlessness evoked a feeling of dread, which was a vibe that Backrooms delivered audiences in a major way. Additionally, with the movie being based on lore from creepypastas found across the internet, there were countless interpretations of what really made this realm so scary.
Even just this year, movies like Exit 8 and It Ends explored similar ideas, and there’s even more liminal terror to look forward to on the horizon. Currently set to be released on December 25 is The Poolrooms, which follows a teenager trapped inside an impossible aquatic structure filled with endless swimming pools, towering waterslides, hidden chambers, and mysterious passageways that seem to stretch on forever. We have an exclusive look at the upcoming movie, which teases the discomfort of the upcoming experience. You can see new behind-the-scenes images below.
“There was something deeply disturbing about taking an object you associate with childhood and making you afraid of it. That’s what we wanted with SUNNY. This first look is just an introduction. Seeing it in motion, and seeing the horror it’s capable of, is another experience entirely,” says director Galen Christy. He added, “The goal was to make you feel like you’re standing there yourself, with no idea what’s waiting around the corner.”
Co-director Sasha Yelaun continued, “Galen and I have primarily been known in the industry as producers. Stepping into directing gave us a completely new perspective and brought back the sheer fun of letting our imaginations run wild. Whether we were jumping into water slides or running around an empty soundstage in Atlanta figuring out how to bring a scene to life, there was a real sense of discovery. We had an incredible time making this film, and I think that energy comes through on screen.”
Also producing the project are Alexander Kane (Mel Gibson’s Bandit, Bruce Willis’s Breach) and executive producer Brian Katz (Kevin James’ Solo Mio, Jordan Peele and Robert Englund’s Abruptio).
The Poolrooms is currently set to be released on December 25.
Are you looking forward to the new movie? Let us know in the comments below!
