As the spooky season approaches, Lionsgate and BuzzFeed are teaming up to bring the chilling viral sensation, “Dear David,” to the big screen this Halloween. Offering a bone-chilling sneak peek, Bloody Disgusting has unveiled an exclusive glimpse into the upcoming horror film.

In this harrowing clip from the movie, viewers are introduced to Adam, portrayed by Augustus Prew, who finds himself trapped in a nightmarish episode of sleep paralysis. The scene unfolds in his bedroom, where a seemingly possessed rocking chair begins to move of its own accord. Just before Adam breaks free from his terrifying ordeal, a mysterious young boy materializes in the ominous chair.

Lionsgate has scheduled the release of the “Dear David” movie to coincide with Halloween, hitting theaters, On Demand, and Digital platforms on October 13, 2023. Eager horror enthusiasts can also catch the official trailer for “Dear David” for a taste of the spine-tingling experience that awaits.

The origins of this hair-raising tale trace back to August 7th, 2017, when popular cartoonist Adam Ellis embarked on a harrowing journey by recounting the haunting of his apartment by the malevolent spirit of a deceased child bent on his demise. His initial tweet garnered an astonishing 55,000 retweets and 76,000 likes, setting the stage for a viral sensation.

Ellis’s original tweet read, “My apartment is currently being haunted by the ghost of a dead child and he’s trying to kill me.” What followed was a Twitter thread that documented the unfolding horrors he claimed to experience.

In the film adaptation, the narrative unfolds as comic artist Adam (played by Augustus Prew) grapples with online trolls and soon finds himself plagued by sleep paralysis. Simultaneously, an empty rocking chair begins to move ominously in his apartment. As he chronicles the escalating malevolent events on Twitter, Adam becomes increasingly convinced that he is the target of a vengeful spirit, a deceased child named David. Encouraged by his boss to continue the “Dear David” thread, Adam descends into a disturbing realm where the lines between the virtual and the real blur. The film draws its inspiration from the viral Twitter thread created by BuzzFeed comic artist Adam Ellis.

John McPhail, known for “Anna and the Apocalypse,” directs “Dear David,” with a cast that includes Augustus Prew, Andrea Bang, Rene Escobar Jr., Cameron Nicoll, and Justin Long.

The screenplay is penned by Mike Van Waes.

Lauren Bixby, Vice President of Co-Productions & Acquisitions for Lionsgate, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Dear David is a terrifyingly creepy and sensational story that will translate perfectly to the big screen. It hits our goal of reaching global Millennial and Gen Z audiences by elevating contemporary, authentic new voices.”

“Dear David” is Rated R for its violent content, language, and a sexual reference, promising a spine-tingling experience for those brave enough to embark on this supernatural journey.