If there is one place that Backrooms fans have dreamed of seeing explored on the big screen for years, it is probably the Poolrooms. These immense aquatic complexes with the feel of a strange dream have, over time, become one of the most popular liminal spaces on the Internet. And good news for atmospheric horror enthusiasts : a film entirely devoted to this universe is currently in preparation.
A film independent of Backrooms
It is important to clarify that The Pools will not be connected to Kane Parsons' Backrooms universe. While A24's Backrooms film offers its own interpretation of the Poolrooms, this new production instead chooses to draw directly on the aesthetic that went viral on the Internet : that of immense tiled pools, flooded corridors, and impossible architectures that have fascinated netizens for years.
What will The Pools be about?
According to the first information revealed by the producers, The Pools will follow a teenager who finds himself trapped in a gigantic labyrinth composed of pools, water slides, and structures defying all architectural logic. The film intends to explore the most anxiety-inducing aspect of the Poolrooms : that permanent sensation of being lost in a place that seems familiar, but whose rules no longer correspond to reality.
Only one official image has been revealed
For now, the project's creators have revealed only a single promotional image. And it already seems to have convinced a large portion of liminal space fans. It reveals an immense tiled hall dominated by three gigantic water slides marked with strange symbols, a setting that immediately recalls some of the most iconic Poolrooms images circulating on the Internet for several years.
This first image also confirms the film's desire to favor atmosphere and mystery rather than rational explanations, an approach that has largely contributed to the success of works inspired by liminal spaces.
A creature to transform the experience
Unlike certain representations of the Poolrooms, often described as almost contemplative spaces, The Pools will choose to introduce a creature that will pursue the protagonist throughout his journey. This decision could profoundly change the way this universe is usually perceived, making the Poolrooms not only a place of solitude and wandering, but also a genuine hunting ground.
A release planned for late 2026
At present, The Pools is scheduled for a theatrical release on December 25, 2026. Although very little information has yet been revealed, the project is already emerging as one of the most anticipated liminal space adaptations of the coming years. And if this first image is representative of the final result, Poolrooms fans may finally get the cinematic exploration they have long hoped for.
