Until Dawn’s Ending Turns Trauma Horror Into a Joke
If you haven’t experienced the 2015 survival horror game “Until Dawn”, the 2025 film adaptation could leave you puzzled. Even if you have played the game, the movie might still perplex you due to its unique narrative. David F. Sandberg’s “Until Dawn” draws inspiration from its well-known forerunner, but the script, penned by Gary Dauberman and Blair Butler, crafts an entirely new tale that may not be straightforward to grasp. Initially, it follows a typical slasher setup, but eventually, it transforms into something unexpected, with a barrage of concepts that risk overwhelming the movie. Despite this, by the end, “Until Dawn” manages to redeem itself through its humor, showcasing similarities with “Cabin in the Woods” rather than contemporary heavyweight horror titles. While it deluges the audience with backstory, the film satirizes the modern trend of serious, symbolic horror, suggesting that even in the face of real trauma, laughter is still an option.