Indie Horror Hit Mouthwashing Scores Live-Action Film with Jennifer's Body Director at the Helm

Mouthwashing, the critically acclaimed indie horror game from developer Wrong Organ and publisher Critical Reflex, is making the leap to the big screen. The official announcement comes after over two weeks of speculation among the game's fanbase about a potential movie adaptation.

Revealed today, October 29, by Wrong Organ and Sony Pictures' Screen Gems, the film will bring the crew of the Tulpar to theaters near you. Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange, The Black Phone) will produce alongside C. Robert Cargill and Vince Cheng for their Crooked Highway production company.

Karyn Kusama, known for Jennifer's Body and Yellowjackets, will direct, with Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay (The Invitation) penning the script. Exact plot details are still under wraps, but those familiar with the game can likely guess what's in store.

The game follows five crew members aboard the Tulpar, a freight ship operated by Pony Express. When the vessel veers off course, the crew must grapple with dire circumstances—fighting starvation, isolation, paranoia, and hallucinations, and even defending themselves against their own crewmates.

Mouthwashing has been widely praised, earning a 9 out of 10 from IGN. Initially released on PC in 2024, the game launches on consoles today, October 29. Another Critical Reflex title, No, I'm Not a Human, along with the celebrated indie game Arctic Eggs, are also headed to Xbox, as announced during the ID@XBOX showcase earlier this month.

Casting remains a mystery, but given that some characters were directly inspired by real-life actors (Shelley Duvall, for one), fans are eager to see who will join the Tulpar on its doomed space voyage.

This marks the latest video game to receive a screen adaptation greenlight, following news that PUBG is getting a live-action Netflix series written, directed, produced by, and starring Donald Glover. More and more games are heading to the silver screen: Michael B. Jordan is leading a Battlefield film adaptation, and Capcom's Street Fighter movie debuted in theaters earlier this month. These follow Zach Cregger's wildly successful Resident Evil film, the latest in a string of horror hits that have dominated the box office this year.