Spencer Lackey will write and direct horror feature Lust, backed by Neon, Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Spooky Pictures after building an online audience.
Digital horror filmmaker Spencer Lackey is moving from social-media shorts to feature filmmaking with Lust, a newly announced project backed by several established names in independent horror. Lackey will write and direct the film, marking his feature debut after years of building an audience through narrative-driven online work.
Neon, Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Spooky Pictures are collaborating on the project. Neon and Blumhouse Atomic Monster will co-finance the film, according to reports announcing the package on September 8, 2026.
A major step from online shorts to feature filmmaking
Lackey has developed an estimated audience of seven million followers across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. His work includes You Are Here, a short film produced by filmmaker Mike Flanagan.
That online track record is central to why this Filmmaker Spotlight matters. Lackey’s progression suggests that short-form platforms can provide more than publicity: they can give emerging directors a public space to demonstrate visual style, storytelling discipline and audience appeal before making a feature.
The collaboration also places Lackey alongside experienced horror producers. Steven Schneider will produce Lust for Spooky Pictures, while Jason Blum and James Wan will produce for Blumhouse Atomic Monster.
What has been announced about Lust?
Lust remains in development. No cast, plot details, filming timetable or release date has been announced, so the project should not yet be described as filming or in production.
For now, the significance lies in the creative and financing package assembled around a first-time feature director. Neon brings its position in independent film, while Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Spooky Pictures add producers closely associated with genre filmmaking.
Why Nollywood’s digital filmmakers should pay attention
Lackey’s journey offers a useful reference point for Nollywood and African filmmakers already using YouTube, Instagram and short-form video to reach viewers directly. Consistent digital publishing can help a creator test concepts, sharpen a recognisable voice and create visible evidence of audience interest.
That does not guarantee feature financing, but Lust shows how an online body of work can become part of a filmmaker’s professional case. For creators working beyond traditional industry gateways, the announcement is another reminder that the audience built around short films and social storytelling may also attract producers searching for distinctive talent.
With its story, cast and schedule still under wraps, Lust is an early-stage project worth watching—both as a horror feature and as a test of how successfully a digital-first filmmaking voice can expand to a longer format.
Join the conversation
Can building an audience through online shorts create stronger opportunities for emerging African feature filmmakers?
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Sources
Source links used to research and verify this article:
The Hollywood ReporterTheWrap
University of Cincinnati
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