Stream dream: scary Reddit short story gets seven-figure Netflix film deal

The story 'My Wife and I Bought a Ranch' was posted directly to Reddit in February

Netflix has paid at least $1 million for a short story that was posted on Reddit. Netflix

Netflix seems to be on the lookout for promising material in the most unlikely of places.

The streaming company made a seven-figure commitment to turn a Reddit horror story into a film.

The undisclosed sum, which is at least $1 million (Dh3.7m), includes the rights to the short story My Wife and I Bought a Ranch by Matt Query, as well as scripting fees for the author's brother, Harrison Query, who will adapt the story into a screenplay, Deadline reported.

The story, which was originally posted on the r/NoSleep Reddit page in February, in six parts, is about a couple who buy their dream home, a ranch in Idaho, for a steal.

However, soon after they move in, they realise they are not alone on the ranch. Their neighbours warn them of an evil spirit in the valley that comes into the house at the start of each season, telling them that certain rituals need to be carried out to ensure the spirit is kept at bay.

Needless to say things get creepier.

The story was put out for a bid on Thursday, July 23, with Netflix clearing it off the table by the next day. Ground Control Entertainment is set to produce and talks are under way for 21 Laps – the production company behind Stranger Things – to take part in the project as well.

The interest perhaps shows the power of Reddit, which has more than 300 million active monthly users. The original My Wife and I Bought a Ranch post has been "upvoted" 2,900 times, showing its popularity with the r/NoSleep Reddit community, which itself has 14.2 million subscribers.

This is the second project that Ground Control Entertainment has sold to Netflix. It is also working on a modern interpretation of The Three Musketeers for the streaming company.