Mouthwashing is getting a feature film adaptation from Sony and I need all of you to be normal about it whenever it comes out

The indie walking simulator Mouthwashing, which explores corporate exploitation and narrative perspective, is being adapted into a feature film by Sony Pictures’ Screen Gems. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the rights acquisition, with production also involving Scott Derrickson. The project’s attachment list includes directors and writers whose prior work spans critically varied results, raising questions about tonal fidelity to the original game’s themes.

Karyn Kusama, known for Jennifer’s Body, has been named as director, a choice that aligns with the game’s themes of sexual assault and corporate power. Kusama’s involvement follows her collaborations with writers Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, who are set to pen the screenplay. The team previously worked together on The Invitation and Destroyer, suggesting a shared creative approach.

Critics of the adaptation point to the game’s reliance on first-person perspective and minimal interactivity, elements that may not translate effectively to film. Concerns also stem from the game’s fandom, which has often prioritized memes and skits over the game’s serious themes, leaving some observers apprehensive about how the film will handle its material.

The adaptation joins a long line of live-action video game films, many of which have faced skepticism over their necessity. For Mouthwashing, the shift from interactive experience to linear narrative raises questions about whether the film can preserve the game’s critique of corporate culture and narrative ambiguity.