Backrooms and Exit 8 make the perfect double feature for videogame-adjacent horror movies
A growing trend of horror films adapted from video games and internet culture exemplifies the “survivalone” film genre—a style defined by a solitary protagonist trapped in a dangerous environment with minimal dialogue or exposition. Rather than relying on narrative explanation, these films employ long, unbroken visual sequences that allow audiences to discover information gradually alongside the main character.
Exit 8, adapted from the indie game available on Steam, follows a man mysteriously trapped and struggling to escape. The film embraces this visual storytelling approach, translating the game’s survival horror premise to cinema by withholding traditional exposition. This methodology mirrors successful survival films like Cast Away and All is Lost, where minimal dialogue creates tension through what is hidden rather than what is explained.
VideoGame-adjacent horror adaptations have emerged as particularly effective examples of this genre. The interactive nature of gaming already conditions audiences for discovering information gradually, making the transition to passive film viewing a natural fit when filmmakers prioritize atmosphere over narrative clarity.
Both Exit 8 and Backrooms function as a complementary double feature, each showcasing how properties rooted in gaming and internet horror culture can translate effectively to cinema. By treating viewers as active observers rather than passive audiences being lectured, these films create immersive experiences grounded in survival and isolation. The success of these adaptations suggests a viable niche in contemporary horror cinema, where source material from interactive media translates well when adapted with a commitment to visual storytelling and atmospheric tension over conventional exposition.