7 Liminal Space Movies Like 'Backrooms' That Match Its Vibe
Backrooms (2026) proves that liminal space movies, especially in the horror genre, are endlessly engaging. Perfect for rewatches and searching in the background for clues, these types of films lend themselves to viewers craving plots with deeper meanings. Because of this, they can be a bit divisive. Not everyone likes that surreal, reality-bending vibe. But if you do, you've come to the right place.
Whether you're trying to recapture Backrooms' strange horror premise or just want more of that uncanny feeling, here are seven liminal space movies like Backrooms. Watch them on Hoopla, Apple TV, and more right now.
It would be sacrilegious to create a liminal space movie list without including David Lynch. A master of the subgenre, there aren't many Lynch movies that don't dabble in the surreal, "in-between," "what's happening?" vibe of liminal space. While Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992) is a common favorite, it requires prior Twin Peaks (1990) knowledge if you want to get the most out of it.
That's where Lost Highway comes in. Although it's non-linear, the film primarily follows Fred Madison (Bill Pullman), a jazz saxophonist who randomly receives VHS footage of his home before being arrested for his wife's murder. It's an intriguing start to a movie that becomes beautifully surreal, twisty, and undeniably confusing in that fun Lynchian way.
Go into Cube without spoilers, and you'll be just as confused as the seven strangers who wake up in a labyrinth of cube-shaped rooms, but that's not a bad thing. Cube is the ultimate mind-bender that uses tension between the characters to amplify an already compelling story.
Why are these people here? How do they get out? And why is Quentin McNeil such an insufferable jerk? The questions Cube raises will keep you glued to the screen. I can also say from personal experience that this one holds up to repeat viewings. Cube didn't get the attention it deserved upon release, but it's a must-watch sci-fi gem that will give you the best kind of liminal space surrealness.
What is Donnie Darko about? Good question. As for the deeper meaning, you'll get many different answers, but if you want the surface-level synopsis, it follows a teenager (Jake Gyllenhaal), whose sleepwalking saves him from a freak accident. Oh, and he begins talking to a terrifying-looking rabbit who claims the world will end in 28 days.
Bizarre? You bet. However, Donnie Darko is the ultimate liminal space delight for anyone craving more surreal horror similar to Backrooms. The time travel here is nothing like Back to the Future (1985). Go in expecting weirdness, angst, and plenty of head-scratching. This is the type of movie you watch with friends or family and debate for hours after.
Out of all the entries on this list, Pulse might be the closest to Backrooms, at least theme-wise. Coming out in a time where technological fears were at a high, Pulse uses the internet as its basis for horror. Here, a new form of dial-up internet allows ghosts to enter the living world, which results in plenty of creepy, distorted faces and videos.
In some ways, Pulse is reminiscent of Ringu (1995), considering the disturbing, fuzzy imagery that remains a constant throughout the film. However, Pulse is considerably scarier. This is a movie for true horror fans hungry for unnerving, slow-creeping dread that will genuinely get under your skin. There is an American remake, also titled Pulse (2006), but the original J-horror version is where you absolutely need to start.
If you're looking for something trippy and surreal, meet Vivarium. Much more sci-fi than standard horror, the film stars Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg as a young couple who find themselves trapped in a strange housing development, with their best shot at escape involving a humanoid creature they must raise. Like most of the titles on this list, you'll want to avoid knowing any more about the plot going in.
Fans of From (2022) will find a similarish unescapable setup here. However, Vivarium arguably gets much weirder, delivering a story and aesthetic that feels like The 'Burbs (1989) on acid. On first viewing, you might walk away with more questions than answers, but that's half the fun.
Skinamarink might not have a creepypasta origin like Backrooms. However, it has a similar internet-born horror vibe. Director Kyle Edward Ball got the idea for the experimental film after running a YouTube channel about nightmares—and, honestly, Skinamarink feels like a nightmare brought to life.
Two young siblings wake up in the middle of the night only to discover that their father is missing and watch as other objects in their home begin to vanish. The concept alone is terrifying, especially when viewed through the perspective of children. While Skinamarink's slow-burn, non-linear storytelling won't be for everybody, those who appreciate arthouse films that take unique, abstract swings might find a hidden gem here.
First things first, I Saw the TV Glow is a beautiful movie, with deeply saturated neon colors that harken to '90s tech and nostalgia. The plot centers on two teenagers who find solace in a supernatural TV show that starts to merge with their real lives. Unlike the other entries on this list, I Saw the TV Glow offers more fantasy than sci-fi.
It's a wholly unique film that proves you should never sleep on indie horror. The surreal, dream-like imagery will captivate any fan of arthouse movies. However, perhaps the movie's biggest appeal is in its message about repression, regret, and feeling like an outcast while navigating an emerging LGBTQ identity, especially as a teen.
