Announced at the “The Bold Voice of Contemporary Horror” panel at today's San Diego Comic-Con, Shudder has acquired the upcoming feature adaptation of bestselling horror video game The Mortuary Assistant for release in 2026.
Willa Holland (Arrow) and Paul Sparks (Boardwalk Empire) will star in the adaptation of Brian Clarke's game, which was released in 2022 by DarkStone Digital and quickly became a viral hit, selling over 400,000 copies. Jeremiah Kipp (Slapface) directed the film from a script by Tracee Beebe (Dog Years) and Clarke.
The Mortuary Assistant follows newly certified mortician Rebecca Owens (Holland), who takes a job at the River Field Mortuary and is tasked with embalming bodies alone on the night shift, but something sinister lurks beneath the surface. Over the course of the story, she must navigate demonic rituals, unravel the secrets of her enigmatic mentor (Sparks), and confront her own buried traumas to survive the night — and prevent her body from becoming a vessel for possession.
Per Adam Koehler, Director of Acquisitions and Productions for Independent Film Company and Shudder:
“We’ve been admirers of THE MORTUARY ASSISTANT since its original release, captivated by its atmosphere and psychological intensity,” said Adam Koehler, Director of Acquisitions and Productions for Independent Film Company and Shudder. “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.”
Behind the scenes, Patrick Ewald’s Epic Pictures is producing via Dread, alongside Cole Payne’s Traverse Media. The production is financed by Epic Pictures and the UK-based Creativity Capital.
Look for updates on The Mortuary Assistant as we get them.
