newJapanese film giant TOHO has revealed plans to bring the atmospheric horror game The Exit 8 to the big screen, with a theatrical release scheduled for 2025. The announcement comes just months after the game’s successful launch in November 2023, which has already achieved over 1.4 million downloads across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms.
The indie hit, developed by KOTAKE CREATE, has captivated players with its minimalist yet unsettling premise: navigating an endless underground passageway while searching for the mysterious Exit 8, all while being mindful of subtle environmental anomalies that could spell doom for the unwary explorer.
おはようございます!!
8番出口映画化します!!! https://t.co/TCOPfg7aYj— コタケ / KOTAKE CREATE (@NOTOKEKE) December 26, 2024
Game creator KOTAKE CREATE expressed surprise and gratitude regarding the adaptation. After visiting the film set, they praised the production’s ability to maintain the game’s distinctive atmosphere while bringing its confined underground setting to life. “When I first heard about the movie, I wondered how they would turn a game without a story into a movie, but I believe they’ve managed to make something interesting without compromising The Exit 8’s world and atmosphere!” they stated.
The game, which draws inspiration from Japanese underground passageways, liminal spaces, and backrooms, has proven successful despite being available only in Japanese and English. Its straightforward yet eerie premise has resonated with horror fans worldwide, leading to this swift adaptation by one of Japan’s leading film studios.