Summary
The film adaptation ofThe Mortuary Assistantis sure to creep moviegoers out in the same way the video game did back in 2022. Now, we know who has picked up the distribution rights to the film.
The Mortuary Assistantbecame a breakout surprise hit in 2022, as many horror games do, thanks to streamers and YouTubers highlighting how terrifying the jump scares in the game are. Of course,The Mortuary Assistantis more than a jump scare factory. The game involves procedural generation to tell the late-’90s tale of a, well, mortuary assistant named Rebecca Owens being harassed by a demon while doing her job in a mortuary. Though the game was initially only available on PC, it has since been released onpretty much every current consoleunder the sun and has gotten numerous players addicted with its puzzle-based gameplay and terrifying delights. The fact that the game was developed by one person, Brian Clarke, using the Unity Engine only adds toThe Mortuary Assistant’s runaway success. This isn’t a game crafted by dozens or even hundreds of employees at a major game developer. No,The Mortuary Assistantwas the brainchild of one man and one man only. The film adaptation of the game will have the opportunity to introduce the story to horror fans who tend to stay away from video games.
During a panel at the San Diego Comic-Con on Friday,Shudder announced that they had acquired the distribution rights for the film adaptation ofThe Mortuary Assistant, due to be released at some point in 2026.Willa Holland ofArrowfame is the film’s leadand Paul Sparks, seen in series likeHouse of CardsandPhysical, is the titular mortician that Holland’s character works under. Given that the film is directed by Jeremiah Kipp, perhaps best known for directing Shudder’sSlapface, this development shouldn’t come as a massive surprise.
Shudder Has Acquired The Rights ToThe Mortuary AssistantFilm Adaptation
Adam Koehler, Director of Acquisitions and Productions for Independent Film Company and Shudder, had this to say about the movie:“Under the direction of a filmmaker with a remarkable command of tone and suspense, the film expands on the game’s terrifying world in a way that feels both faithful and deeply cinematic. We’re beyond excited to bring this chilling experience to Shudder.”
What should excite fans the most is thatthe original game’s developer, Brian Clarke, co-wrote the screenplay with Tracee Beebe. Beebe is best known for writing horror short films, meaning Clarke is in good company. The film is set to expand on the game’s setting and story, providing more insight into why Rebecca and the small town of River Fields are being haunted in such a harrowing fashion.
The upcoming adaptation ofThe Mortuary Assistanthas quite the legacy to live up to and franchises likeResident EvilandSilent Hillhave shown thatthe jump from games to filmisn’t the easiest one to make. That being said, fans ofThe Mortuary Assistantwill surely be looking forward to 2026 even more now that the film has an official distributor.
