Hollywood is tapping into the deeper recesses of analog horror with a resurgence of adaptations, thanks to Backrooms‘ breakout success. What was once considered niche is about to go mainstream, spurred by hits like the V/H/S franchise, Skinamarink, and Late Night with the Devil. While the subgenre has spawned content ranging from obscure, unwatchable shorts to high-value productions, it’s essentially the lore that attracts analog horror’s following. One franchise is now getting a major boost after legendary director Steven Spielberg threw his hat in the ring.
United Artists’ Scott Stuber, Amblin’s Steven Spielberg, and Amazon MGM Studios have acquired the film rights to The Mandela Catalogue, Alex Kister’s viral analog horror series. Kister will direct the movie adaptation based on a screenplay he co-wrote with Tyler Clifton. Deadline reported that the bidding war for the acquisition was intense, with 11 studios competing. That makes sense because, just like Backrooms, The Mandela Catalogue has blockbuster potential.
Kister launched The Mandela Catalogue on YouTube in 2021 with his first short, “overthrone,” a bootlegged recording of clips from The Beginner’s Bible, spliced with cryptic scenes and messaging. The short film flips the Biblical Nativity story by depicting Satan masquerading as Gabriel, who then announces Jesus Christ’s birth to the shepherds. Satan deceives man, declaring he is their “true savior.” The short ends with a monologue in which an entity pleads to be freed from its shackles.
Kister has since expanded the lore in two “Acts” and 18 episodes, the story set in the fictional town of Mandela County, Wisconsin. The town has been invaded by “Alternates,” demonic shapeshifters hell-bent on eradicating humans by psychologically torturing them. The Alternates use technology to influence their victims and push them over the edge. The Mandela Catalogue features disturbing images, including depictions of self-harm. A mish-mash of PSAs, “police reports,” and found footage, The Mandela Catalogue is essentially “curated evidence” documenting the Alternates’ invasion.
There’s a growing list of YouTubers who have successfully transitioned into filmmaking, with standouts like Dan Trachtenberg (Prey), Danny and Michael Philippou (Talk to Me), and David F. Sandberg (Shazam!). Earlier this year, Mark “Markiplier” Fischbach also broke the ceiling with Iron Lung, a cosmic horror adapted from the namesake video game. The film was initially slated to screen in 60 US theaters, but Fischbach urged fans to rally for a wide release. The grassroots campaign worked — Iron Lung dropped into over 3000 theaters when it premiered. The film grossed $51 million globally against its $3 million budget.
Spielberg acknowledged the success of Backrooms and Obsession, as well as the newfound fame of directors Kane Parsons and Curry Baker. However, Spielberg also cautioned them “not to let success go to your heads.” At 22, Kister is set to tread the same path, but he has the advantage of having a visionary director guiding him. In a recent interview, Kister said he may not follow the traditional analog horror format if he produced content with a bigger budget — he said he might adapt the series into a “live-action viewpoint” feature for a cohesive narrative.
