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Hollywood Secures Six-Figure Deal to Adapt Kevin Cates Viral Short Open Door into Feature Film
Six‑figure dollars now back the story that began as a three‑minute YouTube clip. On June 13 2026, Variety announced that Hollywood has committed to turning Kevin Cate’s micro‑thriller Open Door into a feature‑length suspense film. Executive producer Rick Kearney and Cate’s own Clinging Vine Films will front the project.
The short burst onto YouTube, Instagram and TikTok in 2023, racking up almost 15 million views in a matter of months. Two coworkers, played by Sean Anthony Baker and Mia Matthews, find themselves trapped in a stalled elevator. What starts as a mundane office mishap quickly devolves into a chilling, claustrophobic nightmare. The clip’s razor‑sharp pacing and moody visuals earned it a cult following, proving that a story can be powerful even in under four minutes.
Cate has already drafted a feature‑length spec script with screenwriter Charles Spano. This will be his second full‑length effort; his first, the comedy Unbearable Christmas starring Julia Stiles and David Cross, has yet to see the light of day.
The development deal places the film firmly in the budgeting phase. Cate has launched a website that tracks progress and lets fans sign up for updates. The site lists upcoming milestones—financing, casting, and production dates—but Cate has made it clear that no public fundraising is underway.
In a press statement, Cate emphasized his loyalty to the original team, calling the relationship “ride or die.” He confirmed that Baker and Matthews will reprise their roles. Cate also hinted that audiences have been curious about what the characters saw “down there,” and he is keen to reveal more as the project moves forward.
Rick Kearney, best known for producing Unbearable Christmas, will oversee the adaptation. His background spans independent and mainstream projects, and his involvement signals confidence that Open Door can scale from a viral short to a feature film.
Clinging Vine Films, founded by Cate, has a track record of releasing emotionally resonant short and feature projects that pair storytelling with visceral imagery. The company’s portfolio includes Open Door, produced in partnership with Danial Faber’s Skysound Productions and CATECOMM.
The deal is part of a broader Hollywood strategy of mining digital platforms for fresh content. After the viral success of the Backrooms short, studios have turned to YouTube and other social media sites as fertile ground for discovering the next big story. Open Door exemplifies this trend.
Industry observers expect filming to begin later this year, with a 2027 release on the horizon. The timeline aligns with the budgeting stage and the planned return of the original cast.
While the short’s success already proves its appeal, expanding the narrative will be a significant undertaking. Cate’s spec script, co‑written with Spano, is expected to flesh out the characters’ backstories and the mystery that extends beyond the elevator’s confines.
The project remains in early development, and no definitive release date has been announced. However, the six‑figure deal and the involvement of established producers suggest that the film is moving forward with a clear production schedule.
In short, Kevin Cate’s Open Door has gone from a viral micro‑thriller to a feature‑film project backed by a six‑figure development deal. With Rick Kearney and Clinging Vine Films at the helm, the film will retain its original cast and expand its narrative for a wider audience. Fans can track the project’s progress on the dedicated website while the industry watches to see how the short’s intense premise will evolve into a full‑length cinematic experience.
The short burst onto YouTube, Instagram and TikTok in 2023, racking up almost 15 million views in a matter of months. Two coworkers, played by Sean Anthony Baker and Mia Matthews, find themselves trapped in a stalled elevator. What starts as a mundane office mishap quickly devolves into a chilling, claustrophobic nightmare. The clip’s razor‑sharp pacing and moody visuals earned it a cult following, proving that a story can be powerful even in under four minutes.
Cate has already drafted a feature‑length spec script with screenwriter Charles Spano. This will be his second full‑length effort; his first, the comedy Unbearable Christmas starring Julia Stiles and David Cross, has yet to see the light of day.
The development deal places the film firmly in the budgeting phase. Cate has launched a website that tracks progress and lets fans sign up for updates. The site lists upcoming milestones—financing, casting, and production dates—but Cate has made it clear that no public fundraising is underway.
In a press statement, Cate emphasized his loyalty to the original team, calling the relationship “ride or die.” He confirmed that Baker and Matthews will reprise their roles. Cate also hinted that audiences have been curious about what the characters saw “down there,” and he is keen to reveal more as the project moves forward.
Rick Kearney, best known for producing Unbearable Christmas, will oversee the adaptation. His background spans independent and mainstream projects, and his involvement signals confidence that Open Door can scale from a viral short to a feature film.
Clinging Vine Films, founded by Cate, has a track record of releasing emotionally resonant short and feature projects that pair storytelling with visceral imagery. The company’s portfolio includes Open Door, produced in partnership with Danial Faber’s Skysound Productions and CATECOMM.
The deal is part of a broader Hollywood strategy of mining digital platforms for fresh content. After the viral success of the Backrooms short, studios have turned to YouTube and other social media sites as fertile ground for discovering the next big story. Open Door exemplifies this trend.
Industry observers expect filming to begin later this year, with a 2027 release on the horizon. The timeline aligns with the budgeting stage and the planned return of the original cast.
While the short’s success already proves its appeal, expanding the narrative will be a significant undertaking. Cate’s spec script, co‑written with Spano, is expected to flesh out the characters’ backstories and the mystery that extends beyond the elevator’s confines.
The project remains in early development, and no definitive release date has been announced. However, the six‑figure deal and the involvement of established producers suggest that the film is moving forward with a clear production schedule.
In short, Kevin Cate’s Open Door has gone from a viral micro‑thriller to a feature‑film project backed by a six‑figure development deal. With Rick Kearney and Clinging Vine Films at the helm, the film will retain its original cast and expand its narrative for a wider audience. Fans can track the project’s progress on the dedicated website while the industry watches to see how the short’s intense premise will evolve into a full‑length cinematic experience.