Sony Pictures to adapt psychological horror game Mouthwashing into a film directed by Karyn Kusama
Sony Pictures is betting on the psychological dread of the indie scene, acquiring the film rights to the viral horror title Mouthwashing. The studio has secured the rights to the psychological horror game from developer Wrong Organ and publisher Critical Reflex, signaling a move to translate the title's claustrophobic tension to the big screen.
To helm the project, Sony has attached director Karyn Kusama, known for her work on Jennifer's Body, The Invitation, and the acclaimed television series Yellowjackets, for which she earned two Primetime Emmy nominations. Kusama will collaborate with frequent writing partners Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay to adapt the script. The production side is equally weighted with horror pedigree, as Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill, and Vince Cheng will produce the film under their Crooked Highway banner, which operates under Sony’s Screen Gems.
The Source Material
The film will draw from a narrative that has already garnered significant critical and viral attention. Mouthwashing follows five crew members stranded aboard the space freighter Tulpar, where the combination of dwindling supplies and extreme isolation triggers a spiral of paranoia and mental decay. The game is noted for its nonlinear storytelling and surreal imagery, exploring themes of responsibility and the consequences of unchecked power.
This narrative depth contributed to the game's commercial and critical success since its 2024 debut. Mouthwashing earned an 88 score on Metacritic and sold close to one million units, with one report specifying that over 500,000 copies were sold on PC alone by February 2025. Its reach extended far beyond traditional gaming circles, generating approximately 63 million views on YouTube and nearly one billion views on TikTok. These metrics were mirrored by industry accolades, including Best Hidden Gem at the New York Game Awards and both the Players' Choice and Best Narrative awards at the Horror Game Awards.
While the film is in development, the game has expanded its reach to ensure a wider audience can experience the story. Originally a PC title, Mouthwashing is now available on:
- PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4
- Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch
- Xbox Game Pass (Console and PC)
The developer, Wrong Organ, is an independent studio based in Stockholm, Sweden. While the studio prepares for the film adaptation, it is currently developing a new project titled Carcass Clad, a co-op tank horror game where players take on the roles of Gunner, Driver, and Commander to escape a war-torn city.
Industry Implications
The acquisition of Mouthwashing reflects a broader "gold rush" of horror game adaptations currently hitting the entertainment industry. Sony is likely looking to replicate the critical and financial success seen with recent adaptations like Resident Evil, as well as the box office performance of indie-to-film projects such as Iron Lung, which earned $21 million globally.
By pairing a grounded, unsettling indie IP with a seasoned creative team, Sony is positioning Mouthwashing to move beyond the jump-scares typical of the genre. The success of the film will likely depend on whether Kusama and her team can translate the game's non-linear structure and psychological weight into a cinematic format, further cementing the trend of high-fidelity adaptations for independent horror titles.
