The fifth episode of American Horror Stories Season 3, titled "Backrooms," presents a harrowing journey into the mind of Daniel Hausman-Burger, an award-winning screenwriter grappling with the disappearance of his son, Roman. As Daniel isolates himself to cope with his grief, he accidentally enters a mysterious space known as "The Backrooms" – a realm filled with endless yellow corridors and rooms, originating from an internet urban legend.
Daniel's story begins with him working feverishly on a screenplay, a means to escape the pain of his son's absence. His agent, Aaron, and ex-wife, Riva, attempt to reach out to him, but Daniel is consumed by his work and the hope that Roman will be found. However, when Daniel walks through a door in his home, he is transported to a brightly lit mall, where he catches a glimpse of a masked child who appears to be Roman. This marks the beginning of his terrifying experiences in The Backrooms.
As Daniel navigates the labyrinthine space of The Backrooms, he encounters a dark, shadowy figure and a masked child who seems to be under its influence. Each time Daniel tries to approach the child, he is jolted back to his home, as if pulled by an unseen force. The episode explores the concept of The Backrooms as a liminal space between reality and another plane, where one's guilt and denial manifest into a physical world of endless, monotonous yellow rooms .
The turning point in the episode comes when Daniel learns that Roman's body has been found, and he had been dead for weeks. This revelation sends Daniel into a tailspin, and he promises to kill Roman's murderer. His grief and rage lead him deeper into The Backrooms, where he encounters a YouTuber named Eli, who claims to have experienced the same liminal space. Eli's story provides a chilling theory: that The Backrooms is a purgatory for those who have lied to themselves about a significant event in their lives, and the only way to escape is to face the truth .
Daniel's descent into The Backrooms becomes a metaphor for his internal struggle with guilt. He is forced to confront the truth about his involvement in Roman's death, a revelation that shakes the viewer to the core. As Daniel's life unravels, he finds himself in a waiting room within The Backrooms, a place where he will likely face punishment or counseling for his crime. The episode ends with a token number that suggests Daniel's stay in this purgatorial space will be eternal .
"Backrooms" is a masterful exploration of guilt, denial, and the consequences of one's actions. It delves into the human psyche and the lengths we will go to avoid facing the truth. The episode's use of The Backrooms as a physical manifestation of Daniel's guilt and the parallel to the internet urban legend adds a layer of depth and intrigue. It serves as a chilling reminder that our actions have consequences, and sometimes, the truth can be more terrifying than any monster lurking in the shadows. The episode is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of the horror genre to explore complex themes and emotions.