Sony has acquired the film rights to the indie psychological horror game Mouthwashing, developed by Wrong Organ and published by Critical Reflex. The announcement comes after the successful distribution of Zach Cregger's Resident Evil adaptation by Sony.
The film adaptation will be developed by Crooked Highway, the production company behind The Black Phone. Karyn Kusama, known for directing Jennifer's Body and episodes of Yellowjackets, is attached to direct. The script will be penned by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, who previously collaborated on Kusama's 2015 film The Invitation.
This marks Kusama's second foray into video game adaptations, as she is also an executive producer and director for Amazon's upcoming Life Is Strange series. That adaptation recently completed shooting and received positive feedback from the original game's creators.
About Mouthwashing
Released in 2024, Mouthwashing places players in the roles of five crew members aboard the cargo spaceship Tulpar, who find themselves stranded in deep space following an accident. The game emphasizes a sense of dread and isolation, exploring the psychological toll on the crew as they grapple with potential madness in their confined environment. While featuring jump scares, its core focus is on building atmosphere and tension.
The game is a concise experience, typically taking about two and a half hours to complete, which should lend itself well to a direct film adaptation. Mouthwashing is currently available on all major platforms for those interested in experiencing the source material before the film's release.