The horror film director Jeremiah Kipp, who recently adapted the indie game The Mortuary Assistant for the screen, has passed away. His death, announced by his partner and confirmed by the Long Island International Film Expo, has shocked the independent horror film community, which honors his talent and generosity.
The independent director Jeremiah Kipp has died, a news report announced by his partner, Lindsay Katt, and relayed by the Long Island International Film Expo. A beloved figure in the New York horror scene, he recently adapted the video game The Mortuary Assistant. Today, his friends and collaborators remember him as a generous filmmaker whose influence extended far beyond his films. The passing of Jeremiah Kipp has caused a profound emotional response in the genre film community. The Long Island International Film Expo confirmed the news and paid tribute to a man described as kind-hearted, always ready to share his knowledge of cinema. No cause of death has been specified in the information provided. The announcement quickly generated numerous messages from people who had worked with the filmmaker. Several highlighted his availability, his listening skills, and his willingness to help others bring their projects to fruition. For many, he was as much a colleague as a mentor and a friend. One collaborator recounted that Kipp had encouraged him, fifteen years earlier, to bring a personal and difficult story to the screen. Their collaborative work on the film Crestfallen had forged a lasting bond. This testimony reminds us that his commitment extended beyond directing: he also took the time to support emerging voices. Before directing The Mortuary Assistant, Jeremiah Kipp built a filmography rich with dark tales and unique visions. He worked on various independent projects, from short films to feature-length works, developing a personal approach to horror. His film Slapface, released in 2021 on the Shudder platform, had already attracted the attention of genre enthusiasts. Throughout these works, he cultivated a universe where psychological unease coexists with frankly disturbing imagery. This trajectory reflects a filmmaker who knew how to work within the constraints of independent cinema without giving up his artistic ambition. Released this year, The Mortuary Assistant is the most significant project of his career in terms of ambition. The film is inspired by the indie horror game released in 2022, known for its morgue setting and gradual tension. The adaptation translates an experience onto the big screen where routine actions become increasingly unsettling. Willa Holland plays Rebecca, a woman hoping her new job will help her regain control of her life. Her first nights at the morgue seem difficult but ordinary, until disturbing visions begin to appear. The situation takes a turn when her supervisor, Raymond, played by Paul Sparks, reveals to her that a demonic presence may be linked to one of the bodies. Rebecca must then perform specific rituals to attempt to free herself from this entity. The narrative thus intertwines the codes of possession films with a cold, methodical, and claustrophobic environment. This combination allows the feature film to retain part of the identity of the game, while relying on the actors’ performances and direction. The film’s release also marked a milestone for DreadXP, a publisher associated with several independent horror productions. The company had initially gained visibility with its Dread X game collections before developing transmedia projects. The film adaptation of this video game property illustrates the growing interest in adapting indie games. The outcome may not have garnered the same level of attention as some other recent adaptations, but it confirmed the project’s potential for its publisher. The Dread studio praised Kipp’s contributions to its productions, including Slapface and The Mortuary Assistant. In its tribute, the company sent its thoughts to his family, friends, and all those who collaborated with him. These words highlight the place he occupied in a close-knit professional community. Beyond his films, Kipp was recognized for his love of sharing and his ability to support other artists. Testimonials collected after the announcement describe a man who willingly shared his experiences, without seeking to keep the lessons of his journey for himself. In an environment where independent productions often rely on small teams, this type of support can be immensely valuable. His legacy is thus also measured by the encounters and works he helped bring to life. The director had also just completed filming Faceless, a horror feature inspired by Cambodian folklore, according to information published by Deadline. The film was set to extend his exploration of myths and fears, using a new cultural territory as a starting point. His death now leaves the next steps of this production in suspense. However, the work represents a final glimpse of the creative direction he was pursuing. Kipp’s passing occurs at a time when the boundaries between video games and cinema are becoming increasingly porous. DreadXP is notably continuing its development in other formats, with adaptation projects surrounding Amanda the Adventurer, in collaboration with Blumhouse and content creator MatPat. These initiatives reflect an industry seeking new ways to circulate horror universes. Kipp had participated in this movement by giving a cinematic form to an indie game beloved by thrill-seekers. For the New York horror community, his absence leaves a void that is hard to sum up with a simple credit list. His films, advice, and the connections he forged constitute several facets of the same legacy. Tributes highlight both the uniqueness of his perspective and the generosity with which he offered it to others. Through them, the imprint of Jeremiah Kipp continues to take shape in the memories of those close to him and in the cinema he helped to shape.A news met with emotion by those close to him
A path marked by independent horror cinema
A faithful adaptation of the game’s atmosphere
Collaborations and a final project in preparation
Jeremiah Kipp, a singular voice in horror cinema
The passing of Jeremiah Kipp has shaken the independent horror cinema community. Announced by his partner, Lindsay Katt, and then confirmed by the Long Island International Film Expo, it leaves behind loved ones, friends, and collaborators marked by his generosity. The festival honored a man who willingly shared his advice and knowledge of cinema, as well as a director whose work helped bring fantastical narratives off the beaten track.
His adaptation of The Mortuary Assistant, released earlier this year, represents one of the most ambitious projects of his career. Inspired by the indie video game from 2022, the film follows Rebecca, a young woman hoping to take charge of her life through a job at a morgue. Disturbing visions soon begin to crack her routine, until her superior reveals to her that a demonic presence may have latched onto one of the bodies. Amid rituals, psychological tension, and a funereal atmosphere, Kipp translates the game’s mechanics to the screen while giving them a new form.
Before this feature, the filmmaker had explored several realms of horror, notably with Slapface, released by Shudder in 2021. The testimonials from those who knew him also speak of an attentive mentor. The writer and producer of Crestfallen recalled that Kipp had supported, fifteen years ago, a personal narrative about suicide, enabling him to bring it to the screen. This memory paints the picture of an artist capable of embracing dark stories with seriousness and humanity.
Kipp had also just finished filming Faceless, a horror movie inspired by Cambodian folklore. This project, now linked to his final professional chapter, extended his interest in fears originating from different cultures and imaginations.
