#deadmall

metrocenter mall. jackson, miss. july 2025

Tonight, we’re drifting through a cathedral of commerce, a sanctuary of pastel polos, hairspray, and unbridled consumer optimism. This is the sound of the 1980s promenade. We’re starting with the energy of the morning door-buster sale, cruising through the mid-day rush, and winding down to that liminal, lonely feeling when the security guard keys the final lock.

So, grab a seat by the fountain, don't worry, the spray is turned off for the nigh, and breathe in that recycled air scented with floor wax and faint perfume. Let the nostalgia wash over you.

The mall is closed, but the music never stops.

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BOYS ARE STUPID : KILL THEM

I'm doing some research before the movie comes out.

Here are my initial observations.

Rob Zombie said there are only a few horror themes. When you drill down, every scary story has a couple. Fear of the dark. Abandonment. Pain. Being unable to protect someone you love. Madness. Being misunderstood. Etc.

The Backrooms centers body horror, being lost, trapped and hunted.

I'm watching a video detailing every monster in the backrooms. They remind me of middle school. Teenage horror, mostly centered on body modification against your will. Which makes perfect sense. What happens to teenagers? Body changes. Bones change (the bone stealer). Skin changes (the skin stealer). The Wretch (someone who didn't get enough water and sleep).

The environment is scary because it's not made for humans. No food, no shelter, no comfort, no entertainment. Just moldy carpet and fluorescent lights and no escape.

Just like high school. Or working retail.

It would be tolerable if you were alone. But you're not.

There are spirits. Entities. Some disgusting. Some dangerous. Some grotesque but benevolent.

Just like other people.

All of these horrors still vibe hard for me. I think these themes scare all of us. This is what aging in the modern world feels like.

My favorite part tho-

The fandom centers around humans surviving the horrorscape. That's the real game.

The wiki has enumerated 1000 + levels of The Backrooms.

Forums mapped them out, discussed: If there was a hotel level. A boiler room. An island. What would we do? We'd form a group. (The MEG). We'd share information. We'd work together. Many of us would die, but humanity would continue.

This gives me hope. I really like this exercise.

Dungeon Crawler Carl was this exact vibe.

You will not break me, I will break you.

Same Premise as Project Hail Mary.

How the fuck did I get here? I'm trapped. I'm going to die. But Maybe I can survive. Maybe I can help.

I think that's where our minds are these days, understandably. The more we play games like this- especially in real life- the better things will get.

We will survive this deadmall post capitalist hellscape. Together.

To defeat the monsters we have to engage. Be brave. Look at them. Understand them.

Work in teams, like The Last of Us or The Walking Dead