A feature film adaptation of the nearly 20-year-old internet horror meme Jeff the Killer is in development, with media studio Tongal and TikTok star Savanah Moss attached to produce. The project represents Hollywood's continued pursuit of online creepypasta and viral horror content, a trend amplified by the surprise success of the "Backrooms" film.
Savanah Moss, an online content creator with over 11 million TikTok followers, will play a key role in producing the film and guiding its creative direction. Tongal and Moss plan to engage the internet and other content creators to solicit ideas and character concepts for the movie. Selected contributions will be compensated, with some receiving $300 and others receiving $50 as "honorable mentions," while other submissions will not be paid.
The Jeff the Killer meme originated in 2008 as a distorted image of a face accompanied by a story about a teenage serial killer who whispered "Go to sleep" before committing murders. Moss expressed a personal connection to the character, citing her history of using "Jeff" in her "Fever Dream" videos and her nostalgia for creepypasta stories. She highlighted how the character's evolution through internet contributions has made him an icon with various interpretations over time.
This venture follows "Backrooms," a film based on a popular online series, which achieved significant box office success on a modest budget, reportedly grossing over $300 million worldwide. Inspired by this, studios are actively acquiring film rights to other internet horror properties like Siren Head and The Mandela Catalogue. The Jeff the Killer movie is expected to fast-track into production as part of this broader industry trend.
Moss stated her goal is to create a "terrifying, grounded horror film" that remains true to Jeff the Killer's origins while avoiding a mere retelling of the creepypasta. The film currently lacks a cast, writer, and director.