Sony Pictures Acquires Film Rights to Mouthwashing
Director Karyn Kusama will helm the adaptation of the hit independent horror game.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Horror
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Sony Pictures has officially acquired the feature film rights to Mouthwashing, a psychological horror game developed by the Stockholm-based studio Wrong Organ. Karyn Kusama is set to direct the adaptation, with screenwriters Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay penning the script.
Why it matters
The acquisition highlights the growing trend of major studios pivoting toward successful indie gaming properties for high-profile film adaptations. By leveraging established horror titles with dedicated fanbases, studios aim to replicate the commercial success of previous video game-to-film projects.
The game Mouthwashing reached nearly 1 million units in sales and holds an 88 score on Metacritic. Digital engagement remains high with 63 million views on YouTube and 1 billion views on TikTok.
The players
Karyn Kusama
Karyn Kusama is an American filmmaker known for directing horror and thriller projects including Jennifer's Body and The Invitation.
Sony Pictures
Sony Pictures is a major global entertainment company that produces, distributes, and acquires intellectual property for film and television.
Wrong Organ
Wrong Organ is an independent game studio based in Stockholm, Sweden, that gained international recognition for the 2024 release of Mouthwashing.
The details
The production team includes producers Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill, and Vince Cheng. Work on the film will proceed under the Crooked Highway banner, which currently maintains a production deal with Sony's Screen Gems.
Timeline
The original Mouthwashing game debuted in 2024.
Sony Pictures announced the acquisition of the film rights on October 29, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This move mirrors the trend of major studios mining viral indie horror games for feature film adaptations, similar to the 2023 Five Nights at Freddy's film adaptation. It underscores a shift where studios look beyond traditional franchises to capture audiences already deeply invested in niche digital properties.
Fans of the original game should anticipate a major studio release that will likely prioritize a theatrical debut rather than a direct-to-streaming launch. The production's association with Screen Gems suggests the film will follow a traditional cinematic rollout strategy.
The takeaway
The transition of Mouthwashing from indie game to feature film demonstrates the immense cultural power of online horror communities. Readers should note how digital engagement metrics now serve as primary drivers for major film greenlights in the modern studio landscape.
Further reading
For more on the latest adaptations, visit the Horror section.
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