Shudder film expands on cult mortuary game's characters

A film adaptation of the popular horror game "The Mortuary Assistant" is set to premiere on Shudder on February 13. Director Jeremiah Kipp expressed his connection to the game's central character, Rebecca Owens, whose preference for the solitude of her mortuary job over her messy personal life resonated with his own experiences in his mid-20s.

Kipp emphasized that not all video games are suitable for film adaptation, citing historical examples of unsuccessful conversions. He believes "The Mortuary Assistant" works well due to its narrative focus, strong characters, and story arcs, drawing comparisons to "The Last of Us." The game's developer, Brian Clarke, is credited with creating powerful metaphors for addiction and depression.

He further lauded the inventive spirit of solo indie horror game developers, likening the excitement of discovering a scary game to finding a hidden gem at a video store. Kipp sees films as a way to introduce these original concepts, like "Exit 8" and "The Backrooms," to broader audiences, offering a reciprocal relationship where fans can explore game worlds through movies and vice versa.

Kipp also praised the impact of content creators like Markiplier and game developers such as David Szymanski for "Iron Lung," noting the passion and artistic risks involved in independent horror. "The Mortuary Assistant" shares this independent spirit, aiming to bring these dedicated fan-favorite worlds to the big screen.