Bold claim: religious horror is where fear and fascination truly collide, and these YouTube filmmakers are ready to prove it with their next project.
But here’s where it gets controversial: they’re turning a viral short into a full-length psychological thriller that dives deep into faith, doubt, and the uncanny, pushing the boundaries of what online indie horror can achieve.
Originals to watch for context include Markiplier’s Iron Lung, Dylan Clark’s Portrait of God sold to Monkeypaw, and Curry Barker’s Obsession, all of which helped spark a wave of DIY pedigree in cultish, provocative storytelling. Building on that momentum, Cameron Gallagher (writer-director) and Jeremiah Lewis (producer-writer) are moving into production next week on It Visits Me, a feature developed from their high-view short of the same name, which is nearing 100,000 views on YouTube.
Plot fundamentals: the film follows Layla, a young woman who becomes trapped in her childhood home, where her sister Abigail reports angelic visitations. The story tightens around psychological unease and the lure of the divine, as Layla’s perceptions—and the house itself—seem to twist under unseen pressures.
Casting and crew: Sara Hallisey stars, with Hayley Gasbarro in a leading role, and Toby Poser making a cameo appearance. Adam Muro, the director of photography and a longtime collaborator, returns after wraps on Claws, a project featuring Thomas Middleditch and Jess Weixler.
Creative approach: Gallagher and Lewis describe It Visits Me as a slow-burn psychological horror in the tradition of Saint Maud, The Lodge, and Possession, with a pronounced emphasis on religious horror and its particular atmosphere. The team sees the religious horror subgenre as a fertile ground for character-driven dread rather than cheap jump scares.
Background and collaboration: Gallagher and Lewis have co-created several YouTube horror shorts, with Gallagher’s short 2 Players Required previously showcased on Bloody Disgusting and Screambox’s Bloody Bites.
Director’s vision: Gallagher notes that religious horror taps into a primal fear, and he aims to craft something that is not only terrifying but also emotionally satisfying for the audience by grounding horror in character psychology.
Producers’ perspective: Lewis emphasizes that their interest lies in stories about characters pushed far beyond their comfort zones, where disruption creates psychological space for horror to unfold—inviting viewers to reflect on how upheaval reveals inner truths and fears.
Question to the audience: do you think religious horror is the most effective vehicle for exploring psychological transformation, or can other subgenres deliver deeper character-centered scares? Share your take in the comments.
