Horror filmmaker Scott Derrickson is getting behind another unsettling project, this time bringing the acclaimed psychological horror video game Mouthwashing to the big screen. Sony Pictures’ Screen Gems has acquired the film rights to the popular game, with Jennifer’s Body director Karyn Kusama attached to direct.
According to reports, Kusama will helm the adaptation, while Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay are set to write the screenplay. Derrickson will produce alongside C. Robert Cargill and Vince Cheng under their Crooked Highway production banner.
The project brings together an intriguing collection of genre talent. Derrickson is best known for directing horror favourites including Sinister and The Black Phone, while Kusama has established herself as a distinctive filmmaker through projects such as Jennifer’s Body and the television series Yellowjackets.
Originally developed by Wrong Organ and published by Critical Reflex, Mouthwashing debuted on PC in 2024 and quickly developed a devoted following thanks to its disturbing atmosphere, psychological storytelling and deeply unsettling premise.
The game centres on five crew members aboard the Pony Express space freighter Tulpar. After a catastrophic incident sends their ship off course, the crew finds themselves stranded in space with dwindling supplies and seemingly no way home. As isolation takes hold, tensions rise and the crew begins experiencing increasingly disturbing psychological effects, including fear, hallucinations and desperation.
Rather than relying solely on traditional horror elements, Mouthwashing explores themes of guilt, survival, isolation and the psychological consequences of extreme circumstances. Its unsettling narrative and distinctive approach to horror have helped establish it as one of the more talked-about independent horror games of recent years.
The game has received widespread critical praise, earning an 88 score on Metacritic and overwhelmingly positive reviews from Steam players. It has also collected several gaming accolades, including Best Narrative and Players’ Choice at the Horror Game Awards, as well as Best Hidden Gem at the New York Game Awards.
With close to one million PC copies sold and millions of views across YouTube and TikTok, Mouthwashing has already demonstrated the strength of its audience. Its arrival on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and Xbox platforms has further expanded its reach.
While the film adaptation’s storyline remains under wraps, it is not yet known whether the filmmakers will closely follow the game’s narrative or introduce new elements for the cinematic version. No casting announcements or release date have been revealed.
With Derrickson producing and Kusama directing, Mouthwashing could become another intriguing addition to the growing wave of video game adaptations, particularly for horror fans eager to see the game’s disturbing world translated to the big screen.
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