The internet’s most unsettling seven-minute horror short is heading to the big screen. Lionsgate Studios has officially greenlit a feature-length adaptation of Dylan Clark’s viral YouTube film Portrait of God, with acclaimed filmmakers Sam Raimi (via Ghost House Pictures) and Jordan Peele (via Monkeypaw) attached as producers and Clark returning to direct from his own screenplay.
The announcement marks the first time Raimi and Peele have collaborated on a single project. Chase Infiniti has been cast in the lead role, bringing fresh star power to an adaptation that studios have long circled but never managed to complete.
A photograph that refuses to stay still
The original short follows college student Mia Reilly as she rehearses a presentation about a mysterious painting—or more precisely, a photograph of a painting—that some claim depicts the face of God. The image itself is simply black, yet viewers report seeing something lurking within it: testimonies describe a “wrinkled, skinny” man, or at least something “close to a man,” captured in audio recordings.
Raised on YouTube four years ago, Clark’s film has since amassed more than 10 million views. Its economical dread proved that the short could land with real force, and major studios eventually took notice—though not all of those attempts survived.
A long road to production
Portrait of God was previously optioned by Universal Pictures, but that project collapsed in early 2026. This time around the development appears far more stable, with two heavyweight producers attached and a lead actress locked in before cameras even begin rolling.
“We’re delighted to deepen our creative partnership with Dylan Clark, whose remarkable talent and distinctive perspective make him one of the most exciting emerging voices in horror. With Sam and Jordan, two of the genre’s most influential producers, the extraordinary Chase Infiniti starring, and Dylan at the helm, this is an exceptional creative team. We believe they have all the ingredients for a film that is haunting, thought-provoking, and scary as hell.”
Adam Fogelson, Lionsgate Films
Clark echoed those sentiments, drawing on his prior experience with Lionsgate ahead of Blair Witch.
“With Blair Witch, I’m experiencing firsthand the trust Lionsgate places in its filmmakers, and I couldn’t be happier that Portrait of God has found a home there, as well. I’m also thrilled to welcome Chase Infiniti to our team. She blew me away in One Battle After Another and is one of the most exciting young actors working today.”
Dylan Clark, director
The rise of internet horror on screen
The adaptation arrives during a particularly fertile moment for indie horror rooted online. Kane Parsons’ Backrooms and Curry Barker’s Obsession both became box office successes, clearing the runway for further adaptations of popular internet creepypastas. Siren Head is being developed by Zach Cregger, while The Mandela Catalogue and even elements tied to The SCP Foundation are being considered for their own screen treatments.
The wave reflects a broader shift in how horror finds its next generation of fans: stories that first spread through shares and comments now carry the kind of creative backing once reserved for studio originals. Chase Infiniti’s involvement adds another layer of interest, as her breakout turn in One Battle After Another drew widespread acclaim ahead of this high-profile leap to theatrical cinema.
Looking ahead
No production dates or release window have been announced yet, and Lionsgate has not confirmed a shooting schedule. With Raimi, Peele, Clark, and Infiniti now attached, the project carries one of the most credible creative teams in modern horror—but fans waiting to see Mia Reilly’s story play out on screen will need to hold steady for official updates.
For now, Portrait of God has finally found a home. The question hanging over the production is whether Hollywood can capture the same creeping unease that made a seven-minute video feel impossible to forget.
Join the conversation