Sony Secures Rights to Mouthwashing for Scott Derrickson Produced Film

Following the commercial success of the recent Resident Evil film, Sony Pictures Entertainment is moving to adapt another major title from the video game industry. The studio has acquired the feature film rights to Mouthwashing, a psychological horror title that gained traction after its initial release on PC in 2024.

The game, developed by Sweden-based Wrong Organ and published by Critical Reflex, has sold nearly one million units on PC. It holds an 88 score on Metacritic and received overwhelmingly positive user reviews on Steam. The title also collected awards in the best narrative and players choice categories at the Horror Game Awards, along with a best hidden gem recognition at the New York Game Awards.

Scott Derrickson, known for the Black Phone and Sinister films, will produce the movie. He is working under his Crooked Highway banner, which has a producing deal with Sony for Screen Gems. C. Robert Cargill and Vince Cheng will join Derrickson on the production side. Karyn Kusama is attached to direct the project.

The creative team has worked together previously. Kusama, Hay, and Manfredi collaborated on the 2015 film The Invitation and the 2018 thriller Destroyer. Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay have been tapped to write the script for the new adaptation. Kusama recently directed episodes of Yellowjackets and The Terror, while Derrickson directed The Black Phone 2 and The Gorge in 2025.

The source material follows five crew members stranded on the space freighter Tulpar after a crash landing on an asteroid. The narrative focuses on dwindling supplies, isolation, and the paranoia that emerges between the group. The game uses surreal imagery and a nonlinear story to explore themes of responsibility, denial, and unchecked power.

The title has built an audience beyond the core gaming market. Studio data indicates that content related to the game has generated 63 million views on YouTube and nearly one billion views on TikTok. Mouthwashing launches today on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and Xbox on PC. The game will also be available through Game Pass on console and PC platforms.

Kusama is represented by WME, Black Bear, and Felker McGinnis. Manfredi and Hay are represented by UTA and Alan Grodin. Derrickson and Crooked Highway are represented by WME, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Ziffren Brittenham.