Until Dawn Review: A Bloody But Frustrating Adaptation

by

Video game adaptations are booming in Hollywood, with hits like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and A Minecraft Movie raking in substantial profits. It’s no wonder that the darker side of video games is drawing industry attention once more. Enter Until Dawn, Sony Pictures’ latest offering, which seeks to expand upon the 2015 game where players were thrust into a chilling horror journey. With David F. Sandberg at the helm for this new horror thrill ride, does Until Dawn succeed in staying faithful to its source material while establishing a new horror movie franchise?

In the game titled “Until Dawn“, protagonist Clover (Ella Rubin) embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind her missing sister’s disappearance in a secluded valley. Accompanied by friends who strive to help their comrade lay the past to rest, the group unwittingly falls into a nightmarish cycle. Akin to a malevolent version of “Groundhog Day“, the characters are subjected to chilling dangers as they’re repeatedly revived, then forced to confront fresh terrors. The only means to survive is by enduring until dawn.

In the thrilling game Until Dawn, the plot jumps right in without much preamble, immersing players into the eerie setting swiftly. The group of characters, reminiscent of the famous Scooby-Doo gang, are quickly presented: Clover and Max (Michael Cimino) have just parted ways awkwardly, Nina (Odessa A’zion) and Abel (Belmont Cameli) are a new couple with their relationship on rocky terrain, while Megan (Ji-young Yoo) has an unhealthy fascination with the supernatural. In addition, Peter Stormare delivers a captivating performance as the mysterious Dr. Hill, stealing every scene he’s in.

As a fan excitedly sharing my thoughts on SuperMassive Games’ “Until Dawn”, I’d like to invite those who haven’t played it yet to experience a thrilling journey set in a secluded winter cabin inhabited by a group of friends. The game offers an immersive experience that seamlessly weaves together classic horror tropes from films and other media, creating a chilling atmosphere that’s uniquely its own.

With a talented cast including Hayden Panettiere, Rami Malek, and Brett Dalton, the game shares some similarities with horror movies but carves out its own niche with a distinct plot that differs significantly from what you might see in David F. Sandberg’s films. Unlike time-loop settings found in other games or films, “Until Dawn” occasionally gives players glimpses of what lies ahead in the immediate future, adding an element of suspense and unpredictability to the gameplay.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say that “Until Dawn” really delivers when it comes to its over-the-top concept. When our characters find themselves stuck in this nightmarish time loop, it feels like we’re diving into a horror anthology where each turn brings something unexpected. Two scenes particularly shine in this setting – first, a tense bathroom scene with all the main characters, and second, them trying to watch recordings of the horrors they’ve faced, giving off that chilling “found footage” vibe.

Sure, we’ve got familiar foes from the game like the ravenous wendigos and a slasher villain who could give Jason Voorhees a run for his money, but Sandberg and team added some unexpected twists that even die-hard fans of the original game might not have seen coming.

As a die-hard horror enthusiast, I can confidently say that the graphic violence in Until Dawn truly deserves its R rating. It’s fascinating to observe how the terrifying Art the Clown from Terrifier seems to have liberated studios, allowing filmmakers and special effects teams to push the boundaries of gore with unprecedented ferocity. And let me tell you, I’m not complaining one bit!

With a handful of scenes that will make even the most hardened viewers flinch, Until Dawn doesn’t shy away from embracing the over-the-top, macabre fun that these gruesome spectacles offer. However, when it comes to this video game adaptation, the saying “all that glitters is not gold” rings true.

As a gamer, I’ve found myself torn by the cinematic experience that is Until Dawn. On one hand, there are moments where it truly shines, hinting at greatness. However, certain aspects of the game, when adapted to film, seem to weigh it down.

For instance, the main characters feel like they’ve been pulled straight from a trope-filled comic book. They lack depth and substance, leaving me yearning for more than just their stereotypical roles. I wish we had more time to understand these characters, to care for them beyond their initial archetypes. Instead, we’re plunged headfirst into the horror of the funhouse setting without much chance to bond with these characters first.

In discussing the flaws of the game “Until Dawn,” I’d need to tread carefully to avoid revealing major spoilers. However, it seems the movie tries to combine multiple genres, aiming to offer a mix of suspense, horror, and supernatural elements. Yet, in attempting this balancing act, it fails on both counts, leaving viewers unsatisfied. The original PlayStation game did a commendable job justifying its blend of slasher villain, wendigos, traps reminiscent of “Saw,” and the supernatural within a single setting. Each element complemented the others effectively. Unfortunately, this harmony is not replicated in the live-action version.

In simpler terms, the movie adaptation of “Until Dawn” struggles under the pressure of trying to incorporate too many complex elements without adequately explaining how they fit together. For fans of the original game, this film seems to miss the mark when it comes to understanding the world that SuperMassive Games built. The movie leaves numerous unanswered questions, and even those questions that are addressed often lack the sense of intrigue or mystery that one might expect from such a story. For instance, questions like “Why is the town emerging from the Earth?” or “Who is the Glore Witch?” or “How does time keep looping?” remain unclear and unsatisfyingly explained. The ending only serves to further cloud the overall narrative and its connection to the SuperMassive universe.

In essence, Until Dawn seems like an unfulfilled potential, struggling to establish a unique presence or fit within the original game’s universe. Though it occasionally delivers some effective scares, its heavy storyline components and lack of unity often drag down this horror production.

Rating: 2 out of 5

Until Dawn lands in theaters on April 25th.

Read More

2025-04-24 16:13