Promise AI is gearing up for a new horror film. The AI-driven studio announced the project titled Touch Grass, a psychological thriller that taps into the dead internet theory, a concept suggesting much online activity is bot-generated.
Backers and Creative Lead
Among the firm’s investors are media veteran Peter Chernin and tech giant Google, both named in the announcement. The film will be directed by Dave Clark, who the company describes as a noted AI creator and filmmaker, and who also serves as Promise’s chief creative officer.
His dual role at Promise underscores the studio’s commitment to marrying artificial intelligence with storytelling, using his background in digital creation to guide the film's vision.
Production Team and Early Support
Backrooms executive producer Chris White and Bloody Disgusting founder Brad Miska have joined the effort as producers. Miska’s platform has long served as a central hub for horror genre news and discovery, signaling a strong genre pedigree for the production.
White’s background includes shepherding viral online content into mainstream projects, while Miska’s reputation in horror circles adds credibility to the undertaking.
Origins and Box‑Office Success
Touch Grass draws inspiration from the “dead internet theory.” While this new film focuses on that specific concept, the production team’s previous success with Backrooms demonstrates the power of internet-born narratives. According to the source, the Backrooms film has taken in $395 million at the global box office and became the top-grossing title ever released by A24.
That project had its origins as a property on 4chan before blossoming on YouTube and TikTok, highlighting the commercial potential of mining grassroots genre material.
Production Partners and Additional Talent
Peter Chernin stepped in as a producer of Backrooms after Chris White helped bring the visual effects work of Kane Parsons to wider attention. Parsons, a visual effects artist, created the online videos that sparked the franchise's massive growth.
Atomic Monster also appears as a producer on the Backrooms side of the project, adding another layer of genre expertise to the collaborative effort that now extends to Touch Grass. The exact release date was not disclosed in the announcement.
Frequently asked questions
What is Promise AI?
Promise AI is an AI-driven studio developing a horror film called Touch Grass, backed by media veteran Peter Chernin and tech giant Google.
Who is backing Promise AI?
The studio is backed by media veteran Peter Chernin and tech giant Google.
What is the dead internet theory?
The dead internet theory suggests that much online activity is bot-generated, and the film Touch Grass explores this concept.
Who is directing Touch Grass?
Dave Clark, a noted AI creator and filmmaker, will direct the film and serves as Promise AI's chief creative officer.
How much did the Backrooms film earn?
Backrooms has taken in $395 million at the global box office, becoming the top-grossing title ever released by A24.
