Spencer Lackey Is Taking His Internet Horror Empire to the Big Screen

Spencer Lackey has spent years scaring people online. Now, he is getting the chance to do it on the big screen. The horror creator is making his feature film debut with Lust, a new movie being backed by Neon and Blumhouse Atomic Monster. Lackey is writing and directing the project, which could become one of the more interesting examples of an internet creator moving into Hollywood.

The movie is still being kept mostly secret, including its story. That has not stopped people from paying attention. Lackey already has a huge online audience, with more than 7 million followers across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. His work has helped him build a name for himself with strange, uncomfortable and often very simple horror ideas that can turn normal situations into something disturbing.

Lackey’s biggest break came with You Are Here, a short set around the idea of liminal spaces. The project was produced by filmmaker Mike Flanagan and later played at festivals, giving Lackey a chance to show his work to people outside the online horror community. That exposure helped put him on the radar of filmmakers and producers who have become increasingly interested in creators coming from YouTube and other social platforms.

Now he has some major names behind his first feature. Steven Schneider, who worked on the Paranormal Activity franchise, is producing through Spooky Pictures. Jason Blum and James Wan are also producing for Blumhouse Atomic Monster. Neon and Blumhouse Atomic Monster are co-financing the film, giving Lackey strong support as he makes the move from short videos to a full-length movie.

There is still no official plot for Lust. The logline is being kept under wraps, so fans have no real idea what Lackey is planning. What we do know is that he is not simply being brought in to direct someone else’s script. He wrote the movie himself and will also be behind the camera, giving him a lot of control over his first feature.

That could be especially interesting because of the kind of horror Lackey has become known for online. His shorts often take strange ideas and play them completely straight. One example involves a monster simply watching him while he does everyday chores. The concept sounds almost silly at first, but Lackey’s style turns ordinary moments into something uncomfortable. It is that unusual approach that many fans will be watching for when Lust finally arrives.

Lackey is also joining a much bigger trend in horror. Studios have started looking toward the internet for new filmmakers after seeing how much attention creators can build without traditional Hollywood support. Kane Parsons’ Backrooms became a huge success, reportedly earning $394 million worldwide from a budget below $10 million. Curry Barker’s Obsession has also added to the growing interest in horror creators who first found an audience online.

Other filmmakers have already made the same jump. Neon released Shelby Oaks from YouTube creator Chris Stuckmann, while Alexander Ullom’s It Ends also came from a digital creator. Warner Bros. has also picked up Siren Head, based on the popular internet character, with Zach Cregger and Brian Duffield attached to write.

Lackey previously discussed this changing attitude toward online creators with Dread Central. He said industry people are starting to take digital creators more seriously, while also pointing out that making short online videos and making a feature film are very different challenges.

For Lackey, Lust is the biggest test yet. He has already proven that he can grab attention online, but a feature film is a completely different game. With Neon, Blumhouse Atomic Monster, Jason Blum, James Wan and other major horror names supporting him, however, he has a strong team around him.

For now, the mystery surrounding Lust may be part of the fun. Fans know Lackey is making the movie, they know he is writing and directing it, and they know some of the biggest names in modern horror are backing him. Everything else is still hidden. As the movie gets closer to release and more details finally come out, the big question will be whether Lackey can turn the strange style that made him popular online into a horror film that works for a much bigger audience.

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