The world of Dead by Daylight is expanding beyond the screen and into the realm of feature film, with Blumhouse and Atomic Monster partnering with Behaviour Interactive to bring the popular multiplayer horror game to life. The project has landed a writing team comprised of David Leslie Johnston-McGoldrick and Alexandre Aja, a pairing that Blumhouse CEO Jason Blum describes as bringing a “rare balance of character driven storytelling and relentless genre intensity.”
Johnston-McGoldrick is a veteran of the horror landscape, having contributed significantly to the success of James Wan’s The Conjuring Universe, penning scripts for The Conjuring 2, The Conjuring: Last Rites, and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. His resume also includes work on the Insidious franchise and DC’s Aquaman and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, as well as 14 episodes of The Walking Dead. Aja, the French director and screenwriter, is known for his visceral and often brutal takes on horror, having helmed films like The Hills Have Eyes, Piranha 3D, and Crawl. His most recent directorial effort was the survival thriller Never Let Go.
While Aja is attached to write, he will not be directing the adaptation, as he is currently committed to Under Paris 2 for Netflix. The studios are now actively searching for a director to helm the project, with the writers already at work on the script. Blum emphasized the importance of finding a director who can “elevate that vision through performance and scale,” suggesting a focus on both the psychological and visceral elements that define the game.
Launched in 2016, Dead by Daylight has amassed a dedicated following of over 60 million players worldwide. The game’s premise centers around a classic asymmetrical horror setup: four survivors attempting to escape a single killer, all overseen by a mysterious entity known as The Entity. Survivors must repair generators to power the exit gates while avoiding capture and sacrifice. The game’s enduring popularity has spawned a broader universe encompassing board games, comics, and even cosmetics, demonstrating its cultural reach beyond the video game space.
The adaptation represents a significant move for Behaviour Interactive, which partnered with Blumhouse-Atomic Monster in 2023 to secure the film rights. Stephen Mulrooney, Executive Vice President at Behaviour Interactive, described the collaboration as a celebration of the horror genre, praising Blum and Wan as “giants of the horror film industry.” He further stated that Aja and Johnston-McGoldrick’s script “celebrates a dark distinction,” recognizing the unique nature of adapting a game into a cinematic experience.
The project’s producers include James Wan, Jason Blum, and Stephen Mulrooney, with a team of executive producers rounding out the creative leadership. This includes Remi Racine from Behaviour, Michael Clear and Judson Scott from Atomic Monster, Ryan Turek from Blumhouse, and Russell Binder from Striker Entertainment. The combined experience of these producers signals a serious commitment to delivering a faithful and compelling adaptation for fans of the game and horror enthusiasts alike.
The success of Dead by Daylight lies in its ability to tap into the enduring appeal of classic horror tropes while offering a unique and engaging multiplayer experience. The game’s roster of iconic killers, drawn from established horror franchises and original creations, has become a major draw for players. Translating this dynamic to the big screen presents a creative challenge, but the involvement of seasoned horror professionals like Aja and Johnston-McGoldrick suggests a thoughtful approach to capturing the game’s essence.
The announcement of the film adaptation comes at a time when video game adaptations are gaining momentum in Hollywood. While past attempts have often been met with mixed results, recent successes like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the Uncharted film have demonstrated the potential for translating popular game franchises into commercially viable cinematic experiences. Dead by Daylight, with its established fanbase and inherent cinematic qualities, appears well-positioned to capitalize on this trend.
As the search for a director begins, the industry will be watching closely to see who takes on the task of bringing The Entity and its terrifying killers to the big screen. The project’s success will likely hinge on finding a filmmaker who understands the nuances of the game’s world and can deliver a genuinely frightening and suspenseful horror experience.
