The Mortuary Assistant Adaptation Continues Disappointing Trend

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The Mortuary Assistant is unfortunately another in a string of recently released horror games based on other media that haven’t been very successful.

Although audience reviews are still coming in, critics generally consider The Mortuary Assistant a disappointment, giving it a 36% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Willa Holland plays Rebecca Owens in the movie, a woman who is overcoming addiction and starts a new job as a mortuary assistant on her very first night. The film is based on a popular video game and was announced in 2022. Holland joined the cast in 2025, and filming took place in Missouri.

The movie is adapted from the popular horror PC game of the same title. While the game was praised for its innovative gameplay and frightening atmosphere, the film version didn’t receive the same positive feedback. Critics found that the movie lacked the tension and atmosphere that made the game so effective.

Video game horror movies haven’t been doing well lately. Recent adaptations like Until Dawn, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, and Return to Silent Hill have received poor reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with Until Dawn scoring the highest at just 52%. The independent film Iron Lung, created by YouTuber Markiplier, is a rare exception, earning a 60% rating.

© Markiplier /Courtesy Everett Collection

Producers often choose to adapt existing stories because they come with an established audience. But this can be risky. While a built-in fan base can help a movie succeed, negative reactions from those fans can doom it. For example, the first season of The Last of Us was highly acclaimed, but viewers were disappointed with the second season.

These projects often face two main challenges. First, enjoying games is a very individual thing – players want to explore at their own speed and focus on what interests them. Second, they frequently assume everyone already knows the backstory and how the game world works.

Okay, so as a horror fan, I really appreciated that The Mortuary Assistant doesn’t just throw you in without context. It actually takes the time to explain what’s going on, which is great if you haven’t read the original story it’s based on. Apparently, the creator, Brian Clarke, and the director, Jeremiah Kipp, worked super well together on the script – Kipp himself said they had a great collaboration.

Brian Clarke and I create stories focused on compelling characters, set within a frightening horror atmosphere. Since Brian’s work is heavily inspired by film, developing this project has naturally felt like building upon his established and distinctive game style.

Despite mixed reviews of the film overall, actress Holland received praise for her performance. HighOnFilms even called her “the heart and soul of The Mortuary Assistant.” She’s maintained a strong track record, with no poorly-received roles since the 2011 remake of Straw Dogs.

Interestingly, The Mortuary Assistant hasn’t received a score from players yet. Often, critics and players have different opinions – FNAF2 is a good example, receiving a 16% score from critics but an 82% score from players. It’s possible The Mortuary Assistant will become more popular with those who play it.

I’m really hoping The Mortuary Assistant can stick around! It’s having a bit of a tough time right now, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it gains enough traction to become a full-blown franchise. We’ll just have to wait and see, but I’m rooting for it!

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2026-02-13 03:02