Mike Macari, executive producer of The Ring franchise, is bringing the viral horror short The Bells to the big screen, Deadline reports. The feature will mark the directorial debut of Virat Pal, who directed the original short and co-wrote the script with Danny Barclay, the star of the viral clip.

A supernatural horror story in the vein of The Ring and Smile, The Bells follows a cursed phenomenon where victims hear mysterious bells tolling before a deadly fate catches up to them. The original seven-minute YouTube short has amassed over nine million views since its 2018 release.

“I’ve been a huge fan of Virat’s work since I first saw his V/H/S segment,” Macari said. “When I read his feature script for The Bells, I was immediately hooked. The concept of the bells tolling is deeply unnerving and stays with you long after the credits roll.”

He added, “What Virat and Danny have crafted is something truly special—both terrifying and emotionally resonant. I’m thrilled to be working with him.”

Pal most recently directed the V/H/S/Beyond segment Dream Girl, further cementing his reputation in the modern horror scene.

The Bells feature promises to expand the eerie, tension-filled world of the viral short into a full-length cinematic nightmare.