The viral internet horror short film "Portrait of God" is being adapted into a feature-length movie, with acclaimed actress Chase Infiniti set to star. Lionsgate Studios has officially greenlit the project, which will be produced by genre heavyweights Sam Raimi via Ghost House Pictures and Jordan Peele through Monkeypaw.
"Portrait of God," created by Dylan Clark, gained significant traction on YouTube, accumulating over 10 million views since its upload four years ago. The seven-and-a-half-minute film follows a college student researching a mysterious photograph said to depict God. Viewers who engage with the image report seeing unsettling figures within its darkness.
This is not the first studio attempt to bring Clark's short to the big screen; Universal previously held the rights, but that project ultimately fell through. The current adaptation appears more solid, benefiting from the involvement of Raimi and Peele, marking their first collaboration. Chase Infiniti, known for her breakout role in "One Battle After Another," will lead the cast.
Adam Fogelson of Lionsgate Films expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, "We're delighted to deepen our creative partnership with Dylan Clark, whose remarkable talent and distinctive perspective make him one of the most exciting emerging voices in horror. With Sam and Jordan, two of the genre's most influential producers, the extraordinary Chase Infiniti starring, and Dylan at the helm, this is an exceptional creative team. We believe they have all the ingredients for a film that is haunting, thought-provoking, and scary as hell."
Clark also shared his excitement, noting, "With Blair Witch, I’m experiencing firsthand the trust Lionsgate places in its filmmakers, and I couldn’t be happier that Portrait of God has found a home there, as well. I’m also thrilled to welcome Chase Infiniti to our team. She blew me away in One Battle After Another and is one of the most exciting young actors working today."
The success of "Portrait of God" follows a trend of popular internet horror shorts and creepypastas being adapted for film. Recent examples include Kane Parsons' "Backrooms" and Curry Barker's "Obsession," which achieved significant box office success. This opens the door for further adaptations of online horror phenomena such as "Siren Head," "The Mandela Catalogue," and "The SCP Foundation."