The Afterrooms (2036)

The transformed cityscape of Level 11, now an amalgamation of modern metropolises under perpetual neon twilight

The Afterrooms is a 2036 psychological horror film directed by Jordan Peele and produced by A24, serving as the official continuation of The Backrooms Trilogy. The film stars Anastasia Murakami as Kyoko Yamamoto, with Jenna Ortega and Emma Myers reprising their roles as Maria Diaz and Cindy Reynolds respectively. Released nine years after City in the Rain (2027), The Afterrooms explores themes of grief, memory, and the evolving nature of reality while expanding the franchise's mythology in new directions.

Plot

The film opens in modern-day Tokyo, where Kyoko Yamamoto, a promising physics student at the University of Tokyo, struggles with reconciling theoretical physics with unexplained phenomena. During a late-night study session in the university's quantum mechanics lab, she experiences a "noclip" incident reminiscent of Maria Diaz's iconic disappearance in NoClipped (2022). The scene, shot with the same Spatial Distortion Camera System used in the original trilogy, creates a haunting parallel between the two characters' journeys.

Upon arriving in Level 0, Kyoko discovers an abandoned M.E.G. outpost containing the legendary Vorpal Sword, still bearing traces of the reality-altering battle between Maria and Dr. Malkinson nine years prior. Her first encounter with the Hounds of Level 0 leads to a rescue by Maria Diaz herself, now a hardened veteran of the Backrooms who has spent years searching for signs of Cindy's survival.

Character Development

The film's emotional core centers on the relationship between Kyoko and Maria, with the latter serving as both mentor and cautionary tale. Maria reveals that after the events of City in the Rain, she voluntarily returned to the Backrooms, drawn by what she believed to be Cindy's voice. This decision, which her younger self might have seen as romantic, is portrayed with complex nuance that questions the line between devotion and obsession.

Kyoko's character arc mirrors and contrasts with Maria's original journey. Where Maria's story was one of losing innocence, Kyoko's journey becomes one of finding purpose in the chaos. Her scientific background allows her to approach the Backrooms' physics-defying nature from a unique perspective, leading to new discoveries about the nature of Liquid Pain and dimensional boundaries.

New Threats

Nostalgi Gaius manifesting through distorted memories in Level 404

The film introduces Nostalgi Gaius, a memory-altering entity that represents an evolution in the franchise's approach to horror. Unlike the physical threats of previous films, Nostalgi Gaius attacks through manipulation of memory and identity, forcing characters to question their own experiences and relationships. This entity's ability to distort reality builds upon concepts first explored in Dr. Malkinson's experiments while taking them in a more psychological direction.

The emergence of the ASYNC Foundation as an antagonistic force marks a shift in the franchise's scope. This mysterious corporation's attempts to industrialize and exploit the Backrooms raises questions about humanity's relationship with supernatural spaces and the consequences of commercializing cosmic horror.

Production and Reception

The film's production involved extensive collaboration between original trilogy veterans and new creative voices. The score, composed by Hans Zimmer and Trent Reznor, incorporates Cindy's original leitmotif into a broader sonic landscape that reflects the evolved nature of the Backrooms. The iconic "Echoes of Edinburgh" theme receives a dramatic orchestral remix for the emotional reunion scene between Maria and Cindy.

Practical effects remained a priority, with over 60% of the film's visual effects achieved through practical means. The transformed Level 11 sets, combining elements of Tokyo, New York, and Dubai into a singular impossible cityscape, required six months of construction and pioneered new techniques in forced perspective photography.

Legacy and Future

While some fans initially contested the film's more optimistic tone compared to the original trilogy, The Afterrooms has been credited with successfully expanding the franchise's scope while honoring its roots. The resolution of Maria and Cindy's story arc, culminating in their life together in the restored Level 11, provides closure to one of horror cinema's most celebrated relationships while opening new narrative possibilities.

The film's success has led to the announcement of several spin-off projects, including a limited series exploring the rise of the ASYNC Foundation and a companion film focusing on the Wanderers of Level 7. The restoration of the M.E.G. under Kyoko's leadership sets up future stories while maintaining the franchise's core themes of exploration, survival, and the psychological impact of impossible spaces.

See Also

• The Malkinson Effect
• Level 404
• The Beast of Level 5

References

• "The Evolution of Horror: From Backrooms to Afterrooms" - Film Quarterly, 2036
• "Building Impossible Cities: The Architecture of The Afterrooms" - Cinefex, 2037
• "Reuniting with Ghosts: Maria and Cindy's Journey" - Horror Studies Journal, 2037
• "Physics of the Impossible: Scientific Consultation in The Afterrooms" - Scientific American, 2036