‘Dead By Daylight’ Movie Adaptation Lands ‘The Conjuring,’ ‘Crawl’ Combo as Writers (Exclusive)

Hollywood Reporter

by Borys Kit

February 13, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Blumhouse-Atomic Monster has partnered with Behaviour Interactive to adapt *Dead by Daylight*, a popular Canadian horror video game franchise, into a feature film. The project has brought together screenwriter David Leslie Johnston-McGoldrick and director Alexandre Aja, two prominent figures in the horror genre. Known for his work on *The Conjuring* universe, Johnston-McGoldrick brings expertise in character-driven storytelling, while Aja’s distinctive style, seen in films like *Crawl* and *Piranha 3D*, adds a visceral edge to the project. Though Aja is not directing this film, the collaboration marks an exciting union of talent as they work on creating a script that balances psychological terror with survival horror elements. The game, launched in 2016, follows survivors escaping a killer who worships a mysterious entity called The Entity. With over 60 million players worldwide, *Dead by Daylight* has grown into a multimedia franchise, including board games and comics. Blumhouse-Atomic Monster acquired the movie rights in 2023, signaling its potential as a major horror property. The film adaptation aims to capture the game’s intense atmosphere and psychological depth, with plans currently underway to find a director who can bring this vision to life. The involvement of Jason Blum, James Wan, and Stephen Mulrooney as producers underscores the project’s ambitious scope. Johnston-McGoldrick and Aja’s script is praised for its ability to evoke fear through character development and genre intensity, setting the stage for a director to elevate the story on screen. The adaptation promises to appeal to fans of horror who seek fresh and terrifying experiences. This collaboration marks an exciting moment in horror entertainment, blending the success of *Dead by Daylight* with the expertise of seasoned writers and producers. As the search for a director begins,

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Originally published on Hollywood Reporter on 2/13/2026