Filmmaker Karyn Kusama, known for her distinctive work in the thriller and horror genres, is set to direct the upcoming Mouthwashing movie. Kusama's impressive resume includes the gritty crime drama Destroyer, the acclaimed horror-thriller The Invitation, and the cult classic Jennifer's Body. Her recent work on the hit Showtime series Yellowjackets also earned her Primetime Emmy nominations, further solidifying her reputation for crafting intense, character-driven narratives. Kusama will collaborate once again with screenwriters Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, her frequent partners on projects like The Invitation and Destroyer, who are tasked with adapting the game's unique story for the big screen.

The source material, Mouthwashing, is a first-person psychological horror game developed by Wrong Organ and published by Critical Reflex. It plunges players into a chilling scenario aboard the space freighter Tulpar, where five crew members find themselves stranded. As supplies dwindle and isolation sets in, mounting paranoia exposes deep fractures within the team, leading to a surreal and nonlinear exploration of responsibility, denial, and the destructive consequences of unchecked power. The game has been a critical darling, boasting an 88 score on Metacritic and selling nearly one million units. It also earned accolades at the Horror Game Awards for Best Narrative and Players’ Choice, in addition to being named Best Hidden Gem at the New York Game Awards. Beyond critical success, Mouthwashing has cultivated an enormous fanbase online, generating over 63 million views on YouTube and nearing one billion views on TikTok, as reported by Deadline.

Adding further weight to the project is the producing team from Crooked Highway, led by acclaimed horror director Scott Derrickson (The Black Phone, Sinister), C. Robert Cargill, and Vince Cheng. Crooked Highway operates under a deal with Sony’s Screen Gems, a division with a proven track record in the horror genre, ensuring a strong studio backing for the adaptation. With Kusama's directorial prowess, Manfredi and Hay's writing, and Crooked Highway's genre expertise, the Mouthwashing film is poised to deliver a compelling and terrifying experience for both fans of the game and newcomers to its eerie universe.