Remember Momo? The internet hoax went viral after Kim Kardashian posted about the phenomenon on Instagram earlier this year claiming that “kids are going to die”, or at least injure themselves after receiving messages on Whatsapp from users with profile pictures of the creepy AF sculpture, which was (unsurprisingly) declared fake news, people.
Well, Momo’s back with not just one but two upcoming films in the works. Orion Pictures is partnering with Takashige Ichise and Roy Lee, the producers of horror franchises The Ring and The Grudge, to develop a film based on the urban legend. While there’s been no further information on the film’s title or plot, if Ichise and Lee’s back catalogue is anything to go by, get ready for some scary shit.
But that’s not all. Upcoming director Lilton Stewart III will also draw inspiration from the viral hoax in his film Getaway, which follows a group of teenagers who (in typical horror trope fashion) start disappearing after one of them tells the story of Momo, a strange spirit of a bird-like woman that targets its victims via phone calls and text messages.
The Momo phenomenon actually started out life as a sculpture called “Mother Bird” by Japanese artist Keisuke Aiso. The challenge went viral in 2018 after an Indonesian newspaper report suggested a 12-year-old girl died by suicide doing the "Momo Challenge", a game that allegedly asked young players to perform a series of dangerous, violent and fatal tasks. Despite the mass panic, no authorities ever confirmed actual incidents or deaths caused by the game.
No further information on the release dates of either film has been revealed. In the meantime, start prepping with this breakdown of our favourite horror movie soundtracks of all time.
