There have been many video game adapted to the big screen this year, and Neon is also planning to join that list with Exit 8, an upcoming film based on one of this decade’s most popular indie titles that garnered a massive following.
Recently, the official trailer for Neon’s Exit 8 was released, showcasing a deeper thematic perspective on the game’s premise. Exit 8 will release in U.S. theaters on Friday, April 10, following its release in Japan.
The official trailer shows a Lost Man, as the film calls the character, going about his everyday life, taking the train to work and back. However, one day, he finds himself in this sterile corridor that seems to repeat itself constantly. There’s also a few reoccurring elements, such as a Walking Man that ignores the Lost Man.
The trailer also shows the rules that the Lost Man must follow if he must make his escape. From turning around if he finds any anomalies to moving forward to escape this endless loop, the Lost Man is put through trial and error to make his exit from this paranormal location.
For those unfamiliar to the premise of Exit 8, the game itself is much more easier to understand. Although the game calls itself a “walking simulator,” players have to check if their surroundings have changed in unusual ways to find a way out.
The game itself also contains many horror-centric elements and scares, whether that be simple things like different signs and posters to complex dangers like a flood of red liquid to a man made of tiles hunting down the player. However, the gameplay experience is randomized every time, guaranteeing different results as well.
The game became one incredibly successful with the gameplay community on YouTube and Twitch with creators such as Markiplier and CaseOh popularizing it. Following its first success, Kotake Create, the studio behind the game, also released a prequel successor, titled Platform 8, in May 2024.
Additionally, the film itself also garnered much popularity thanks to its debut at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and its other screenings at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
Exit 8‘s main cast includes Kazunari Ninomiya, Yamato Kochi, Naru Asanuma, Kotone Hanase, and Nana Komatsu. The film is directed by Genki Kawamura and written by Kawamura and Kentaro Hirase.
Watch the Exit 8 official trailer:
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Exit 8 releases in theaters on Friday, April 10.
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Chris Gallardo
Christopher Gallardo is an entertainment writer, critic, and member of New York Film Critics Online. While not running his own social channels, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV for multiple outlets. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! You can find him anywhere on social media at @chrisagwrites.