Horror game The Mortuary Assistant to be adapted into a feature film by Shudder

The Mortuary Assistant is a horror video game developed by DreadXP, while Darkstone Digital developed it. The game was released on the Windows system on August 2, 2022, which was followed by its release on Switch on April 20, 2023. It was made available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on August 2, 2024.

The game is finally getting an on-screen adaptation, as production company Shudder has announced that they have acquired the movie rights. Let us find out all the details about this news, as it is expected to excite all the fans who enjoyed the game.

Shudder buys film rights to The Mortuary Assistant

Expand Tweet

At the recently held San Diego Comic-Con, a panel named The Bold Voice of Contemporary Horror became the backdrop for this announcement. Shudder, which is a production company, announced that they have bought the rights for the film adaptation of The Mortuary Assistant.

The horror video game was created by Brian Clarke, and it ended up becoming a best-seller on Steam. The film adaptation will star Willa Holland and Paul Sparks in the lead roles. The duo is known for their performance in Arrow and Boardwalk Empire, respectively. It is currently planned to be released sometime in 2026.

Adam Koehler, who heads the acquisition and production arm of Shudder, spoke about the adaptation. He said,

“We’ve been admirers of THE MORTUARY ASSISTANT since its original release, captivated by its atmosphere and psychological intensity. 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.”

The film is directed by Jeremiah Kipp, while Tracee Beebe and Brian Clarke have written the script. Clarke is also the creator of the video game. Patrick Ewald and Cole Payne are producing the film under the banners of Epic Pictures (Dread) and Traverse Media. The deal was done by Koehler as well as Emily Gotto, with Patrick Ewald.

The Mortuary Assistant is about Rebecca Owens, who gets a job at the River Field Mortuary. She has to embalm the bodies at night but quickly realizes that there is a sinister force lurking around. As the story progresses, Owens must navigate her own traumas with the problems infront of her.

Are you excited about the film adaptation?