Chris and Jené kick off a new movie series with Backrooms, unpacking its odd role play session, race and power in the therapy room, and how easily helping slides into control.
Chris Martinez and Jené Gutierrez, both therapists at Colors of Austin Counseling, launch a new series inside Colors Out Loud: therapists breaking down how movies portray therapy and mental health.
First up is Backrooms, Kane Parsons' film that grew out of an internet creepypasta. The film features a therapist who follows her client into an endless maze of rooms, which the film uses as a stand-in for his mind.
Chris and Jené unpack the film's odd role play session and the power dynamics between a white therapist and her Black client, the only Black character in the film. They talk about how the mental health field has treated Black men's anger as pathology, and about white saviorism. They also get into how easily "helping" can turn into control, and why therapy only works when you actually want to change.
Content note: This episode contains full spoilers for Backrooms, brief references to alcohol use and psychosis as shown in the film, and some strong language.
This episode is for educational purposes and isn’t a substitute for therapy or crisis support. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988.
Our therapists offer culturally responsive care in Austin and across Texas.
Find your therapist
