How ‘Exit 8’ Went From Indie Game to Hit Horror Movie in 18 Months

The Japanese indie video game “The Exit 8” takes place entirely in the hallway of a subway station, with only a simple set of rules. If you notice an anomaly, something out of place, you must turn around. If you don’t, keep walking forward. Choose the right path eight times in a row and you can leave the station through Exit 8.

To most, this may not sound like fertile cinematic ground. Filmmaker Genki Kawamura begs to differ.

“I recall playing the game almost immediately after it was released...