Sony has snapped up the film rights for Mouthwashing
Sony Pictures has acquired the film adaptation rights to Mouthwashing, an independent horror video game released in 2024. Developer Wrong Organ and publisher Critical Reflex have sold the rights to the major studio, marking another example of Hollywood’s growing interest in adapting niche indie games for the screen.
The studio has attached acclaimed television director Karyn Kusama to helm the project. Kusama is best known for her work on HBO’s Yellowjackets series, which gained widespread critical acclaim for its serialized mystery and horror storytelling. The writing team includes screenwriters Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, while Crooked Highway—the production company behind the Ethan Hawke-led The Black Phone film franchise—will produce the adaptation.
The announcement provides little detail about the film’s creative direction. No cast members have been announced, and it remains unclear whether the adaptation will follow Mouthwashing’s original narrative or chart its own course. The game’s specific story elements and themes have not been disclosed, leaving questions about how its distinctive horror premise will translate to cinema.
This deal reflects the broader trend of major studios mining gaming IP across different budget tiers. The focus on an indie title rather than an established AAA franchise suggests Hollywood is casting a wide net to find fresh creative source material in the gaming space.