Film Review – The Mortuary Assistant (2026)

      The Mortuary Assistant, 2026.

      Directed by Jeremiah Kipp.

      Featuring Willa Holland, Paul Sparks, John Adams, Keena Ferguson Frasier, Mark Steger, and Emily Bennett.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Rebecca Owens, a graduate in mortuary science, takes a night job at River Fields Mortuary. What starts as a typical job quickly becomes disturbing as she confronts frightening supernatural elements.

      Rebecca Owens (Willa Holland) is nearing the end of her training to be a mortuary assistant under her supervisor, Raymond Delver (Paul Sparks), who is behaving oddly and prohibits her from entering certain areas. One night, Delver calls her to request she take the night shift – something he previously forbade – due to several bodies needing care. When Rebecca arrives, she is directed by Delver to embalm the corpses before incinerating them, which she finds strange. It is then revealed that Delver has locked her inside the mortuary, claiming she is possessed by a demon. As Rebecca begins to experience visions of her troubled past intertwining with her current situation, the question arises: Can she endure this trial and uncover the truth of her circumstances?

      Adapted from the video game of the same name, The Mortuary Assistant presents a dark and atmospheric psychological horror, attempting to translate the gaming experience into a film format. However, as historical precedent shows, successful video games do not always translate into great movies, and The Mortuary Assistant joins that unfortunate group.

      There are positive aspects, including impressive practical effects focused on dismembered bodies and blood drainage, along with some of the most realistic autopsy scenes seen since Saw IV. The film captures a consistently ominous atmosphere that effectively drives the video game narrative and translates convincingly onto the screen. Willa Holland shines as Rebecca, exuding strong final girl energy and eliciting sympathy, especially as her troubled past unfolds, showcasing her mental anguish.

      Nevertheless, this is insufficient to sustain the movie over its 91-minute duration, particularly for those unfamiliar with the game’s lore. Slow-building tension for 91 minutes does not effectively introduce new viewers to the material. Co-written by game creator Brian Clarke, The Mortuary Assistant assumes audience knowledge of the source, heavily relying on what gamers already understand. While attempting to track Rebecca and the reason behind her predicament, the film bombards viewers with flashbacks, possessed corpses (with white eyes and eerie grins – we get it), and other elements detracting from genuinely frightening surprises. Although a central monster appears initially creepy, the lengthy focus on it eventually renders it somewhat comical, and by then, the audience remains unclear on its origins.

      Within The Mortuary Assistant lies the potential for a superior film, but in striving to replicate the immersive experience of the game and incorporate extensive lore from Brian Clarke, much is lost in translation. The film maintains a consistently bleak tone, with little light to counterbalance the darkness in both mood and visuals. While Willa Holland delivers a commendable performance befitting a horror franchise survivor, Paul Sparks is unremarkable and lacks charisma in his role. By the time the final revelations unfold and the film concludes, any previously built tension or sense of dread has dissipated, making any concerns regarding Rebecca’s loyalty to Delver feel irrelevant.

      Fans of the game might find some value in it, but for those unfamiliar with it, watching someone play The Mortuary Assistant is likely more fulfilling than enduring the film.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★

      Chris Ward