Hollywood Develops Jeff The Killer Film Amidst Search for the Next Big Horror Sensation

Tongal, a studio focused on content creators, is teaming up with TikTok sensation Savanah Moss to bring a feature film to life based on the nearly two-decade-old internet horror meme, Jeff the Killer. This project is yet another instance of Hollywood’s rush to adapt online creepypasta and viral horror shorts, hoping to replicate the success of recent hits like Backrooms.

Moss, who boasts over 11 million followers on TikTok, will not only help produce the film but also guide its creative vision. Tongal and Moss plan to engage with the online community and content creators to gather ideas and characters for the film. Selected contributors will receive $300, while others may earn “honorable mentions” with a $50 reward. Unfortunately, many will walk away empty-handed. This practice, known as “spec work,” raises concerns about fair compensation for creative talent.

Jeff the Killer first emerged in 2008 as a modified image of a sinister face that quickly gained traction online. The accompanying story often depicted a teenage serial killer who would whisper “Go to sleep” before committing his crimes.

Moss expressed her personal connection to the character, stating, “I grew up reading Jeff the Killer and all of the creepypasta horror stories, so there’s definitely a nostalgic connection for me. I’ve even used Jeff in some of my ‘Fever Dream’ videos in the past, so it’s crazy to fast-forward to now and actually have the opportunity to help turn this character into a feature film. What I’ve always loved about Jeff is how much of the character was built by the internet. Jeff stuck with people and became an internet icon. Now, there are so many different versions of his story from people adding to it and reimagining it throughout the years.”

Jeff the Killer is just one of many internet horror tales that have caught Hollywood’s attention following the success of Backrooms, which grossed over $300 million worldwide on a modest budget. This success has led other studios to acquire film rights for various online phenomena, including Siren Head and The Mandela Catalogue. With Hollywood eager to capitalize on this trend, projects like Jeff the Killer are likely to be fast-tracked into production.

Moss emphasized the potential of the film, saying, “We have this unique opportunity to take the character everyone knows and loves and create a truly terrifying, grounded horror film, while still staying true to Jeff’s origin. I don’t just want to recreate the creepypasta — I want to make Jeff feel terrifyingly real.” As of now, the Jeff the Killer movie has yet to secure a cast, writer, or director.