Sony Pictures Acquires Film Rights to Mouthwashing
The studio has tapped Karyn Kusama to direct an adaptation of the psychological horror game.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Horror
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Sony Pictures has officially secured the movie rights for a film adaptation of the psychological horror title Mouthwashing. Director Karyn Kusama is set to helm the project, bringing the game to the big screen.
Why it matters
The acquisition continues a recent industry trend of major studios mining popular independent horror games for theatrical feature film projects. This partnership brings established genre talent to a property known for its intense narrative style.
Sony Pictures holds the newly acquired rights for the project, which is currently in the development stage. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
The players
Karyn Kusama
An established filmmaker known for directing genre-bending projects including the horror films Jennifer's Body and The Invitation.
Sony Pictures
A major global film studio and subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation that oversees a vast portfolio of theatrical franchises and production entities.
Crooked Highway
A production company founded by filmmakers Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill that focuses on genre-centric film and television projects.
The details
Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi are penning the screenplay for the upcoming feature. Production will be managed by Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill, and Vince Cheng through their banner, Crooked Highway.
Industry Dynamics
The move aligns with the broader Hollywood strategy of adapting viral horror games to capitalize on built-in fanbases. Much like the 2023 Five Nights at Freddy's film adaptation, this project aims to translate interactive psychological suspense into a structured cinematic experience.
Fans of the original game should anticipate a theatrical release following the conclusion of the development and production phases. Details regarding streaming platform exclusivity or specific release windows will be announced as the project nears completion.
The takeaway
This acquisition signals that high-tension indie gaming narratives remain a priority for studio development pipelines. Audiences interested in the adaptation should track updates from the production team as the screenplay moves toward filming.
Further reading
Explore more upcoming genre projects in the Horror section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Collider.
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