River Fields Mortuary has a new assistant and her first shift is about to put her through Hell.
This year has been very rewarding for fans of video games within the horror genre. Last month brought us Return to Silent Hill and Iron Lung, while other titles like Exit 8 are soon to come to the west. Among the release of all these horror game adaptations comes a film based on one of the most played titles in recent years… The Mortuary Assistant. Gamers stepped into the shoes of Rebecca Owens, a woman with a traumatic history who finds herself as the new hire at River Fields Mortuary. As they went through the motions of of doing her job, players soon found themselves haunted by a malevolent force that set the stage for countless jump scares. Thankfully, the 2026 film adaptation is more than just tense vibes and the occasional heart attack.
The adaptation is directed by Jeremiah Kipp who brought us such films as 2024’s The Geechee Witch: A Boo Hag Story and 2021’s Slapface. It was written by Tracee Beebe as her first full length feature. Her prior work includes a batch of successful short films such as Date from Hell and Tell Me a Story. The designer of the video game, Brian Clarke, joins the team as a producer. This is the third production credit in his resume following The Jester and The Jester 2. It’s a confident claim that this ensemble are nothing if not passionate about horror, and it’s evident within The Mortuary Assistant’s entertaining presentation.
Willa Holland takes on the role of Rebecca Owens and finds herself front and center for the majority of the film. I was introduced to her in 2011’s Straw Dogs, but long time DC fans will recognize her as Thea Queen from Arrow and The Flash. Holland brings the same kind of energy to The Mortuary Assistant that we’ve come to expect from her over the years. Whether it’s exhibiting pride in her accomplishments, or frantically panicking during a moment of absolute horror, Holland carries the experience proudly on her shoulders. She’s joined by Paul Sparks, who plays her boss and potential lifeline, Raymond Delver. Sparks’ performance is cryptic and, at times, just as unsettling as the overall narrative. His acting experience comes from a long run of television dramas, such as House of Cards and Boardwalk Empire. Both of these leads work well with one another, showcasing contrasting personalities and equally invested interests. Namely, keeping the evil within River Fields Mortuary from killing them.
As the film progresses, Rebecca goes from a fresh faced staff member to a woman who’s struggling to understand what’s happening around her. With a history of loss, trauma, and drug use, it’s hard for Rebecca to grasp if what she sees on her shift is even real. Whether it’s the subtle movement of a corpse, a phone ringing louder and faster, or an ominous shadow that seems to stare back at her, every haunting element of the mortuary begins to weigh on her. Some of the spirits from the video game translate to live action in a rather jarring manner, both good and bad. Shadow Man, an apparition with a pitch black body and bright red eyes, looks little more than a Halloween decoration. However, when the film showcases one of the more iconic creatures, The Mimic, it presents something far creepier than what players experienced in the game. Other entities steal the show whenever they’re on screen, including several corpses with unpleasant dispositions, and a visit from “Grandma” that reminded me of Shelly from The Evil Dead. So even though a few of the sights might make you chuckle, there’s plenty to be seen that just might make your skin crawl.
Fans of the video game might wonder which path the film takes, as subsequent playthroughs offered branching conclusions. I dare not spoil the surprise, but I can honestly say that the film ends with a more than acceptable conclusion that gamers can find themselves happy with. The Mortuary Assistant offers classic horror elements that some may consider cliché, but I found myself at home with. After all, it’s an adaptation of a game that offered unsettling visuals and visceral threats, which is exactly what the movie has to offer. Folks who enjoy casual horror films for comfort will find something to enjoy with this movie. Just be warned, there’s a bit of body horror that made even yours truly wince a bit. Neither too gruesome nor too gentle, The Mortuary Assistant finds itself in an excellent position to entertain long time horror fans and newcomers alike. With stylish villains, a charming protagonist, and completely faithful visuals, the film is both familiar and fresh which makes it a welcomed addition to the ever growing lineup of films based on beloved horror games.
If you’re looking for a creepy good time from the same studio that brought us Terrifier, you can catch The Mortuary Assistant streaming March 26th on Shudder.