Though fan anticipation for the live-action movie adaptation of Chilla’s Art’s The Convenience Store is higher than ever with the latest trailer, the game’s creators initially weren’t sold on live-action adaptations in general. After watching the completed film, however, Chilla’s Art admit that it “pleasantly defied” their expectations.
In an official press release, the two brothers who make up Chilla’s Art stated that the film “carefully preserves the game’s atmosphere and sense of dread while weaving a new story unique to cinema” (source: Famitsu).
“Honestly, we didn’t have high hopes for live-action adaptations, and we must admit we weren’t expecting much. However, this film pleasantly defied those concerns. It’s clear they approached the horror sincerely, without any comedic elements. The actors also carefully portrayed the game’s unique, quiet terror. The film successfully captures the original game’s atmosphere while adding its own cinematic appeal.”
Whereas the original game featured a loose narrative centered on an unnamed college girl working the night shift at a Japaneseconvenience store, the live-action film adds to the source material. By introducing new characters like detective Shinji Saruwatari (played by Terunosuke Takezai), adding depth to existing characters like co-worker Ken Funahashi (played by Seki Tetta), and wrapping it all in a unique plot, the film was made to appeal to fans of the game and newcomers alike.
When last asked about the adaptation, Chilla’s Art said they never expected their small indie game would be turned into a movie. During production, all they could hope for was that the movie would be enjoyable for all moviegoers, regardless of whether they played the game. Now that they have seen it for themselves, it looks like Chilla’s Art’s worries have finally been put to rest.
The Convenience Store movie adaptation is set to premier in Japanese theaters on February 20, 2026.
