Social Media Horror Creator Spencer Lackey Lands Feature Debut 'Lust'
Spencer Lackey, who has amassed 7 million followers with his horror shorts, will direct his first feature 'Lust' for Neon and Blumhouse Atomic Monster. The project is co-financed and produced by horror veterans including Jason Blum, James Wan, and Steven Schneider. Lackey gained attention with short-form content and a festival short produced by Mike Flanagan.
Lackey frequently stars in his own short-form videos, which often feature bizarre scenarios, such as a monster watching him do chores. His festival short 'You Are Here', produced by Mike Flanagan, helped establish his credibility beyond social media.
The film is co-financed by Neon and Blumhouse Atomic Monster, with producers Jason Blum, James Wan, and Steven Schneider attached. Lackey is represented by 3 Arts Entertainment, WME, and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis, and his feature debut follows the recent box office achievements of other online creators like Barker and Parsons.
This announcement could signal a further mainstreaming of social media talent within traditional studio structures. For aspiring digital creators, it may validate short-form horror as a viable pathway to feature filmmaking. For audiences, it could introduce fresh, unconventional storytelling styles to theaters, potentially broadening the genre's appeal. However, the success of 'Lust' may also test whether viral online fame reliably translates into sustained theatrical box office performance.