Jordan Peele and Sam Raimi Team Up For Adaptation of Dylan Clark’s Portrait of God
By: Myriam Akbar
In December 2025, Deadline.com reported that Universal Pictures acquired Dylan Clark’s popular horror short Portrait of God and that a feature film is on its way. Jordan Peele and Sam Raimi will be teaming up for the first time, working on the film amongst other writers and producers.
Portrait of God is available to watch on Youtube, having millions of views and counting. I watched it for the first time today, leaving me with confidence that Peele and Raimi can tackle the project and excited for this full length film. The plot involves Mia, a religious young woman who is preparing for an art presentation, examining a painting titled “Portrait of God.” She has note cards and a timer running on her phone. She listens to recordings of people depicting what they’ve seen in the painting. Holding onto her cross necklace, she stares at a projection screen in front of her. What she sees and experiences leaves her emotionally stunned, unaware that time has flown by. I would describe it but it’s something you truly need to experience yourself–with all the lights off.
What makes Portrait of God such an effective horror short is that in limited time, you get a sense of the intent behind the story and themes it explores. Simultaneously, you are immersed in the mystery and totally creeped out. The use of a contained setting and minimal characters makes for a focused story that draws you in immediately. Mia (played by Sydney Brumfield) gives a captivating performance at the end, wearing an unforgettable expression of pure fear and astonishment.
Considering Raimi’s impressive and extensive filmography, as well as Peele’s complex and unique films–I have no doubts that they will successfully adapt this phenomenal short. Providing them with exceptional source material, Clark paints a picture of what it would be like to be met with what is beyond our comprehension.
Source: Deadline.com
Source for Images: IMDB.com


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