4 Minutes
David F. Sandberg, the Swedish-born director behind Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation, is attached to helm a fresh horror feature for Paramount Pictures titled A Little Slice of Hell. The project, currently in development, adapts a short story first published in the debut issue of Assemble Artifacts and marks another example of studios mining short fiction for compact, cinematic scares.
The screenplay comes from Greg Weidman and Jeff Tack, who translate the short story’s premise into a feature-length script. At the heart of the story are two underpaid supermarket employees whose night shift takes a nightmare turn when they serve a customer who quite literally seems to be from hell. As the tension escalates, the pair discover they should have read their employee handbook cover to cover — a premise that blends workplace realism with supernatural horror.
Why Sandberg?
Sandberg has built a reputation for turning modest concepts into effective mainstream scares. His breakout short-to-feature pathway is notable: Lights Out began life as a viral short, while Annabelle: Creation showed his capacity to craft atmosphere and sympathetic character beats within a franchise framework. A Little Slice of Hell looks to follow that pattern — a short, high-concept idea expanded into a studio horror with room for both visceral shocks and character comedy.
Context and comparisons
The pitch evokes a few different reference points. The workplace horror and darkly comic undertones recall films such as The Cabin in the Woods and Housebound, where ordinary settings are upended by uncanny forces. Sandberg’s prior work suggests audiences might expect tight pacing and economical use of effects, similar to Lights Out’s minimalist supernatural tension or Annabelle: Creation’s slow-burn dread. Fans of short-story-based horror adaptations — think of Jordan Peele’s affinity for high-concept premises or David Cronenberg’s earlier literary turns — may find this an appealing addition to the trend.
Industry perspective
Paramount’s involvement signals continued studio interest in original horror IPs that can deliver strong returns on modest budgets. Horror remains one of the most bankable genres: it performs well domestically and internationally, and it gives directors creative room to experiment. Sandberg’s track record with efficient production and effective marketing makes him a logical choice for a studio aiming to cultivate a new franchise or at least a memorable standalone entry.
What we don’t know yet
Details remain sparse. There are no casting announcements, production dates, or release windows at this stage. Fans should also watch for whether Sandberg draws the tone toward dark comedy or pure terror, and whether the adaptation will broaden the setting beyond the supermarket milieu.
Expert insight
Film critic Anna Kovacs, writing for a European cinema quarterly, notes: 'Sandberg has a knack for turning streamlined concepts into genre-friendly features. Given his history with short-form horror, this is a promising match — but the key will be whether the script gives the central characters enough depth to make the supernatural stakes matter.'
Final thoughts
A Little Slice of Hell is an intriguing project for horror lovers who follow directors as much as they follow scares. With Sandberg’s proven instincts and Paramount’s backing, this short-story adaptation could become another compact, high-impact entry in contemporary horror. For now, anticipation is the order of the day: keep an eye out for casting news and further production updates.
Leave a Comment