Hollywood's fascination with adapting internet horror sensations continues as a film based on the popular creepypasta 'Jeff the Killer' is now in development. The project is being helmed by TikTok creator and filmmaker Savanah Moss, who is collaborating with Tongal, a platform that connects businesses with creative talent.
The creepypasta, originating in 2008, centers on a 13-year-old who embarks on a killing spree after his face is disfigured by bullies. The character is famously recognized by an image depicting a pale face and an unnerving smile. Moss aims to deliver a terrifying and grounded horror experience that honors the character's origins while also evolving it for a modern audience.
Moss, known for her "fever dream" horror-comedy shorts on TikTok, where she has amassed over 11 million followers, expressed her excitement about the project. "What I’ve always loved about Jeff is how much of the character was built by the internet," she told TheWrap. "Jeff stuck with people and became an internet icon. Now, there are so many different versions of his story from people adding to it and reimagining it throughout the years. We have this unique opportunity to take the character everyone knows and loves and create a truly terrifying, grounded horror film, while still staying true to Jeff’s origin. I don’t just want to recreate the creepypasta — I want to make Jeff feel terrifyingly real."
This move by Hollywood to adapt viral internet stories is largely driven by the significant financial success of recent horror films. 'Backrooms,' which also originated as a creepypasta, achieved global box office revenues of nearly $395 million against a $10 million budget. Similarly, 'Obsession,' a film with a $900,000 budget, grossed $488 million worldwide. Both of these successful ventures were spearheaded by young creators who gained initial traction by producing horror content on platforms like YouTube.
Filmmakers like Kane Parsons and Curry Barker, who directed 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession' respectively, are now commanding significant attention and deals within the industry. Parsons is reportedly in negotiations for a substantial contract with A24, while Barker is actively involved in multiple projects, including 'Anything but Ghosts,' a Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot, and an original horror film for Universal Pictures. Barker has also expressed interest in developing a new Freddy Krueger movie.
The trend extends beyond these successes. Amazon MGM Studios, in partnership with Steven Spielberg and United Artists' Scott Stuber, acquired the rights to the YouTube series 'The Mandela Catalogue' earlier this year, with the original creator Alex Kister set to direct the film adaptation. Other internet-based horror properties reportedly in development include 'Siren Head,' with Zach Cregger attached to write the screenplay, 'Trevor Henderson’s Cartoon Cat,' and an SCP Foundation-related project connected to the 'V/H/S' series.