Helmed by Oscar winner Chloé Zhao and co-director Kiku Ohe via production house Superprime--with visual effects from The Mill--the film centers on in-game, non-playing characters who beg to be saved from the demons in Diablo IV. The promotional piece aims to match the same level of craft and cinematic drama that exists in the game, outlining the horrors gamers will face in the Diablo world while providing some hope for heroic powers that can save it. 

Zhao said, “Working with Blizzard, we had the wonderful opportunity to bring the dark, thrilling and imaginative world of Diablo IV to life.  Diablo fans are very passionate, and many have been with the game for over two decades. We want to do right by the fans, honor the game’s rich lores and visceral world building while evoking the strong emotions the players feel while immersing in the game.” 

The film launches globally in paid media across more than 20 different countries across NA, EMEA and APAC. Specifically in the U.S. it will run on linear broadcast TV primarily on ESPN/ABC along with premium digital, social and streaming media. 

Tim Wolfe, group creative director at 72andSunny, said, “Bringing to life one of gaming’s darkest and most revered franchises is both a huge responsibility to the fans and a once in a lifetime experience...I mean, when are you going to get to recreate a blood-soaked, demon-riddled hellscape with an Oscar-winning director again? I can’t wait for Diablo V.”