Until Dawn Movie Fails to Match Game’s Thrills: Bloody Mess Lacks Originality

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Until Dawn stands out as an unmemorable curiosity – a video game version that valiantly aims to differentiate from its captivating origin… yet manages to feel repetitive in the process.

Initially, the concept of the original game appears perfect for a cinematic adaptation: it transforms a slasher movie into an intense, chilling, and thrilling interactive horror. Although it didn’t achieve the same level of cultural impact as Minecraft or God of War, the president of PlayStation referred to it as a “sleeping success.

Unfortunately, that point can be quickly refuted. In essence, this venture was designed to provide an intensified horror experience for both movie enthusiasts and gamers. Attempting to decipher its homage to and unique take on the horror genre carries significant risk.

This take on the material is an original attempt, not a faithful reproduction. While Peter Stormare delivers a standout performance, don’t anticipate seeing Rami Malek, Hayden Panettiere, or other familiar faces in key roles. The film deviates significantly from its source, incorporating only a few subtle references as Easter eggs. Despite its best attempts, with growing instances of violence, this new interpretation sometimes fails to hit the mark.

What is Until Dawn about? 

Approximately one year after Melanie (Maia Mitchell) vanished under mysterious circumstances, Clover (Ella Rubin) and her companions embark on a quest to follow the path of her last known journey. Following a cryptic lead, they find themselves at a house in Glore Valley, which seems eerily isolated amidst the rain-drenched landscape that surrounds it.

As soon as they enter the house, something feels eerily wrong. The walls are adorned with posters of missing individuals, and their vehicle is stolen, roaring ominously from the street. In an instant, a wall-mounted sand timer starts, followed by a brutal, grisly death for everyone present. Upon experiencing their untimely demise, they comprehend they’re trapped in a loop of distress, with only one escape route: endure until daybreak.

As a gamer, I found the opening scene of Descent reminiscent of an intense game level – quick, suffocating, and brutal. Regrettably, the movie’s time-traveling and overly sweet storylines (the lost sister and the hourglass) felt more like repetitive game levels, except for the action they provided.

The film doesn’t seem to offer anything particularly original or unique – a point they themselves acknowledge by comparing it to “that movie” with a colorful expletive. However, unlike its prequel, it couldn’t replicate the pulse-pounding, exhilarating terror that the genre is known for, successfully translating it into another form.

Additionally, note this: in Until Dawn, there are no second chances. One misstep, one incorrect pick-up can lead to the butterfly effect, where once characters die, they’re dead for good. The game is as much about dealing with the repercussions of actions as it is about fear. While the movie explores this fear aspect, eliminating one of the game’s most emotionally draining features seems like an oversight.

It seems that if there’s no time loop involved, the validity of the whole project is called into doubt – perhaps rightfully so.

The Until Dawn cast is saved by one returning face 

Until Dawn features a stereotypical cast that’s been seen quite frequently lately, with lackluster performances that struggle to elevate a script which may leave you squinting more than watching paint dry. The lead character, Rubin, is not particularly convincing, often serving as mere props for violence, until predictable drama interferes – Evil Dead (2013 remake) and Cabin in the Woods continue to stand out as exceptional examples of how such an ensemble can be effectively utilized.

The screenplay, crafted by Gary Dauberman and Blair Butler, known for their work on It: Chapter Two and Annabelle: Creation, falls short of expectations. The studio marketed it as a passionate R-rated tribute to the horror genre, yet despite offering plenty of action and grisly scenes, it misses the mark that even lesser films manage to hit: creating at least one character we can cheer for or detest so much we enjoy watching them meet their demise.

In contrast to the other cast members who are still discovering their charm, Peter Stormare stands out with his unique portrayal of Hill in the game. This different take on the character surprisingly piques interest in the movie, as if he’s making acting seem easy and even funny at times.

Until Dawn has one saving grace: the kills 

Some of the fictional deaths depicted are quite extraordinary, ranging from dramatic instances like spontaneous combustion with vivid, splatter-filled visuals, to more gruesome scenes such as decapitations or dismemberments that leave gory remains scattered on the ground.

Beyond the griminess of the acts of violence, it’s also worth noting that David F. Sandberg skillfully executes these intense scenes of violence. He leaves no doubt from the beginning that he doesn’t hold back with his punches, blades, sledgehammers, and so forth. While the movie may not be particularly remarkable as a whole, there is enjoyment to be found in the repeated cycles of terror-filled, unavoidable brutality.

One particular series is remarkable: it doesn’t give away any secrets, but it’s a compilation of cellphone-captured deaths that left me craving for another low-budget, trendy found-footage horror film. It appears that this will appear and disappear, screenings will become rare, and in a few weeks, it’ll be overshadowed by Final Destination: Bloodlines.

TopMob Review Score: 2/5 – Poor 

Without a doubt, the Minecraft Movie hit the mark with its audience. On the other hand, Until Dawn shares more similarities with those cheesy video game movies from the 2000s: off-target, poorly acted, and easily forgettable. I strongly advise you to play the game instead; trust me on this one.

The movie adaptation of Until Dawn will be released in cinemas on April 25th. Take a look at our curated lists of top video game adaptations and top horror flicks, then explore other upcoming films this year using our 2025 movie calendar.

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2025-04-24 16:19