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Daily Record
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
MOVIE REVIEW: We decide if video game adaptation 'Until Dawn' is worth spending a night with
Director hindered by basic premise that makes it hard to root for lead quintet. Let me preface this review by saying I have never played the Until Dawn video game - and know nothing about it. As a result, I am the wrong person to say if this is an accurate adaptation, and can only judge it as a movie on its own merits. Doing so, Until Dawn comes across as an amalgamation of Happy Death Day, Silent Hill and Cabin in the Woods - but can't match any of them for quality. We follow a group of friends who end up trapped in a time loop, where mysterious forces chase and kill them in gruesome ways, and they must survive until dawn to escape it. Although director David F. Sandberg has spent the past few years helming the Shazam flicks, he has a laudable background in horror ( Annabelle: Creation and Lights Out). He does his best to make Until Dawn a worthwhile experience by utilising darkness-shrouded locations, a myriad of monstrous antagonists and several blood-soaked kills. But he is hindered by the basic premise as it's hard to care when his characters perish given the fact they get many other lives to spurn before their ultimate demise. While Gary Dauberman and Blair Butler's script includes some knowing nods and jokes, events are largely played straight, which does the film no favours as the young cast can't project the pathos their plight demands. Ella Rubin's committed Clover is fairly endearing, and has the closest thing to character development with her search for missing sister Melanie (Maia Mitchell). The rest of the lead quintet just fill generic roles, especially Michael Cimino as lovesick Max and Belmont Cameli as smart-mouthed douchebag Abe. Peter Stormare ( Dr Hill) brings his trademark weird but doesn't feature enough to make an impression. And after everything the protagonists endure the climax is firmly in 'is that it!?' territory. Whether it's a faithful adaptation of its video game source material or not, Until Dawn is by-the-numbers horror you should think twice about spending the night with. ● Do you have any favourite films based on video games? ● Until Dawn is available to buy or rent on Sky Store. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. Article continues below
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Fun horror ride
LET us get this out of the way: – Until Dawn is not a faithful adaptation of the acclaimed PlayStation game it is named after. Fans who walk in expecting an interactive-story-style slasher tribute with butterfly-effect decisions and direct ties to the game's iconic moments will quickly realise that this film takes a different path. Sure, Peter Stormare pops up again and there is a faint whisper of the game's mythos, but at its core, this is a standalone survival horror story with time loops, masked killers and grotesque monsters, none of which need the Until Dawn name to stand tall. If Sony Pictures had simply titled this 'Valley of the Dead' or 'Glore Valley Massacre', audiences might have come in with more accurate expectations. As it stands, the Until Dawn label feels like a marketing shortcut to lure gamers, a label slapped on top of what is, frankly, an entertaining, nasty, little horror gem in its own right. Twisted (and hilarious) horror Strip away the title confusion and what remains is a film that plays like a spiritual cousin to The Cabin in the Woods. A group of photogenic young adults heads into a remote, cursed location, thinking they are just on a search mission, only to find themselves part of something much bigger, stranger and bloodier. But here, the added twist is the time-loop mechanic, an element that Until Dawn (the movie) leans on to great effect in the first two acts. Director David F. Sandberg, best known for his knack for visual scares (Lights Out, Annabelle: Creation), keeps the tension tight and the pacing razor-sharp in the setup and middle portions. There is dark humour underlying the characters' repeated, brutal deaths and their escalating panic as they figure out the rules of their bloody predicament. It is the kind of movie where, even as characters get picked off, the audience is laughing nervously, not because it is a comedy, but because the whole thing is so gleefully unhinged. What truly elevates Until Dawn from being 'just another horror flick' is its commitment to old-school, practical gore effects. Forget the over-polished, weightless CGI kills that plague too many modern slashers, this movie delivers viscera with heft. Blood sprays, bodies rip apart, faces melt and creatures snarl, all in gloriously tangible fashion. It is impossible not to think of Evil Dead (2013) while watching some of the more stomach-churning moments. The film does not hold back and the craftsmanship behind the practical effects deserves applause. Horror fans craving something tactile, something they can almost feel through the screen, will walk away grinning (or retching, depending on their tolerance). Energetic first half, wobbly finish While the setup and escalation shine, the film's final act does not quite hit home. After building a compelling, chaotic mystery and offering satisfying jolts of tension and gore, Until Dawn tries to explain itself and in doing so, overreaches. The narrative starts layering in revelations and thematic weight that feel unnecessary, almost as if the script could not resist tying a big, philosophical bow on what was otherwise a delightfully pulpy experience. The fun, brisk momentum of the first two acts gives way to a slightly overcooked finale that tries too hard to say something profound. Still, even as the third act stumbles, the film never becomes a complete mess. It holds onto its core strengths: strong performances (especially from Ella Rubin and Michael Cimino), tight direction and sheer enthusiasm for the genre. As it stands, Until Dawn is a worthy entry into the 'meta-horror' space, a clever, gory movie that delivers solid entertainment for horror lovers, even if it disappoints hardcore fans of the original game. The film's decision to set itself within the Until Dawn universe but tell a separate story is a double-edged sword: on one hand, it frees the filmmakers to explore new ideas and on the other, it leaves viewers wondering when (or if) a true adaptation of the game's original narrative will hit the big screen. If this turns into a franchise and the ending certainly hints at that, here is hoping future instalments either go all-in on the game's characters and plot or simply spin off into their own beast entirely. Great horror movies can stand on their own without having to lean on a video game's popularity. Just enjoy the ride At the end of the day, Until Dawn is best approached with the mindset is to watch it like a standalone horror flick, not as a faithful game adaptation and the result is a gory, wild ride packed with thrills, chills and wickedly fun kills. For horror fans craving something that feels like Cabin in the Woods meets Evil Dead (2013), this is a satisfying, blood-drenched treat. Just temper expectations for the final act and accept the title for what it is: a marketing hook, not a plot promise. Hopefully, with this solid (if imperfect) foundation, the Until Dawn name will one day get the adaptation it truly deserves. But for now, this film stands as a gruesome, entertaining survival horror flick that is well worth watching, especially for those who appreciate their gore practical and their horror clever. DIRECTOR: David F. Sandberg CAST: Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, Ji-young Yoo, Belmont Cameli, Peter Stormare E-VALUE: 7/10 PLOT: 7/10 ACTING: 8/10
The Star
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
'Until Dawn' review: Bloody fun romp in the woods
After his sequel got canceled, Pennywise was forced to accept whatever horror role he could get. — Handout Director: David F. Sandberg Cast: Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, Odessa A'zion, Ji-young Yoo, Belmont Cameli, and Peter Stormare Director David F. Sandberg is back in his comfort zone – a remote cabin in the woods filled with terrifying monsters. After helming two Shazam! movies, the Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation filmmaker announced he was leaving superheroes behind and going back to the horror genre, and with his latest film, Until Dawn, it's obvious he's happy to be home. Like any good horror buff, Sandberg knows that the best horror films need only a few well-honed elements to work: a group of young people, the aforementioned scary cabin, and in this case, clowns. The script is based on a PlayStation game written by horror filmmakers Larry Fessenden and Graham Reznick, who took inspiration from movies like Evil Dead and Poltergeist, and the film adaptation indeed boasts that Evil Dead influence in its setting, characters and gore factor. But Until Dawn is also influenced by postmodern, self-referential films like The Cabin in the Woods and Happy Death Day that play with form and expectations. It melds horror tropes with the rules of video game play (repetition, multiple lives) resulting in a film that's part genre tribute, part choose your own adventure, part interactive haunted house. Anyone want to take bets on who survives until the end? A group of comely young adults arrive at a strange 'Welcome Center' while on a weekend trip to search for Melanie (Maia Mitchell), the sister of Clover (Ella Rubin), who has been missing for a year. Clover's friends Max (Michael Cimino), Megan (Ji-young Yoo) and Nina (Odessa A'zion) have come along for moral support, along with Abe (Belmont Cameli), Nina's new boyfriend. The ominously spooky vibes are off the charts, and things go very badly, very quickly for the friends. But then, an hourglass turns, time winds back. The friends are alive, battered and remember everything that happened. What horrific thing might kill them in the next time loop? 'Survive the night or become a part of it,' a crone whispers to Clover during her second loop, and therein lies the key to their survival. If they can manage to avoid getting killed until the sunrise, they'll be fine (relatively), it's just that every loop brings new nightmares, unknown dangers and different predators, never allowing the group to get ahead of things. They have to die, and die again, searching for a way out of this temporal maze. But how many chances do they have? You might want to try pointing that flashlight behind you once in a while. Sandberg works a familiar kind of schlocky groove, delivering well-worn horror stereotypes we've already seen too many times, before upending the whole thing with wild surprises. We've seen these players and the board before, but the filmmakers try to keep us on our toes with how the whole thing plays out. However, if you're expecting any of this to make sense in a real way, don't bother. But Until Dawn doesn't have to make sense to work. The movie universe has its own specific set of ironclad rules, and that's all that matters. The loop structure gives us more time with these characters too. Though they all slot into known archetypes – steely yet vulnerable final girl, condescending jock, sarcastic and sexy pal, sweet but sympathetic simp, kooky intuitive bestie – they're all fully formed characters, sardonic and self-aware. Sandberg isn't trying to elevate Until Dawn above its B-movie horror roots, and he embraces the good, the bad and the gory with his return to the genre, referencing the beloved horror films that set the pace and established the iconography for a film like this (he even nods to his own horror films in a couple of playful tributes). This one will likely only appeal to fans of the genre who appreciate reverence and twists on this kind of material, but it's bloody – if lightweight – fun for those who enjoy this kind of good old-fashioned romp in the woods. – Tribune News Service Bloody fun for those who enjoy this kind of good old-fashioned romp in the woods.
Perth Now
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Until Dawn director David F. Sandberg says horror flick was ‘a more complicated movie' to make than Shazam!
David F. Sandberg thinks 'Until Dawn' was "a more complicated movie" to make than his 'Shazam!' films. The 44-year-old director helmed the newly-released movie adaptation of the beloved 2015 horror game of the same name, though he has admitted it was harder to make the picture than his DC superhero flicks 'Shazam!' and 'Shazam! Fury of the Gods' because "it was a very ambitious movie for the time and the money we had". Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Sandberg said: "'Until Dawn' was a more complicated movie than any of the 'Shazam!' movies. "It was very hard to make this movie, and it was a very ambitious movie for the time and the money we had. "But I was so eager to do horror again, and this was a dream come true in that I got to do lots of full-on R-rated kills and gore and special effects and special makeup and monsters. "I've been wanting to do all of these things since I was a little kid. So that was very welcome, but it was a challenge, for sure." 'Until Dawn' - which stars Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino and Ji-young Yoo - follows Clover and her friends who venture into the remote valley where he sister disappeared a year prior, hoping to uncover the truth. When they stumble upon an abandoned visitor centre, a masked killer begins hunting them down - but after each brutal night, they inexplicably wake up back at the start, trapped in a deadly time loop with no clear way out. 'Until Dawn' is not a direct adaptation of the 2015 PlayStation video game, and instead serves as a continuation of the horror title, which Sandberg said was what attracted him to the project. He of the movie's story: "I loved the fact that they didn't try to just do the game again, because the game was already so cinematic. "It plays pretty much like a movie that you're a part of, so how do you do that in movie form and not have it be compared unfavorably? You're just never going to live up to the game. "So, I love that they expanded upon the universe that was established in the game rather than trying to do the same thing that everyone has already played and seen." As 'Until Dawn' hits theatres, Sanberg is already looking to the future and revealed that he is open to making a sequel. He said: "I'm always open to anything. I just want to focus on one movie, get it done, and then take a break to catch my breath before seeing what happens. "But, for sure, you could do much more with 'Until Dawn'. You could again have different horror genres involving another group of people. You could do almost anything with this, so it's certainly possible."
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Is the 2025 ‘Until Dawn' Movie Streaming on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video?
Sony Pictures is continuing to take advantage of its PlayStation IP with a new horror movie, Until Dawn, based on the 2016 video game of the same name. Directed by David F. Sandberg, with a screenplay written by Gary Dauberman and Blair Butler, Until Dawn is a time-loop horror movie about a group of young people who are forced to relive a nightmare in which they are horribly murdered over, and over, and over again. But if they can survive until dawn, they will escape the loop. Easier said than done! The up-and-coming Until Dawn cast includes Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, Odessa A'zion, Ji-young Yoo, Belmont Cameli, and Peter Stormare, the last of which was also the voice of Dr. Hill in the video game. You don't need to be a pro-gamer to appreciate some good old-fashioned time loop horror. Read on for all the information on where to watch the 2025 Until Dawn movie, and when we expect to see the Until Dawn movie streaming on Netflix. Until Dawn will only be available to watch in a movie theater, when it opens in the U.S. nationwide on Friday, April 25. You can find a showing near you via Fandango. Until Dawn is not yet available to watch online or on streaming. The Until Dawn movie is not currently streaming on Netflix or Amazon, because the movie is being released in theaters, only. Right now, the only way to watch Until Dawn is in a movie theater. That said, because Until Dawn is a Sony movie, we do expect to see it streaming on Netflix eventually. You will be able to purchase the Until Dawn movieon Prime Video eventually, when the movie becomes available to buy and rent on digital, but you will not be able to stream Until Dawn on Prime Video free with a Prime subscription. If you want to watch the Until Dawn movie at home, you'll have to wait for the film to be available to buy or rent on digital platforms, or wait for it to stream on Netflix. Until Dawn will likely be streaming on Netflix sometime before fall 2025. Netflix has a deal with Sony Pictures that gives the streamer the rights to the Sony movies in the 'Pay 1' window, meaning the first streaming window after the film's home media release. Another recent Sony movie, Kraven the Hunter, came to Netflix about three months after opening in theaters, while Sony's One of Them Days began streaming on Netflix just two-and-a-half months after opening in theaters. Still, other Sony movies have taken four months to come to Netflix. So while it hasn't been consistent every time, we do expect to see the Until Dawn movie streaming on Netflix in the next few months. If Until Dawn follows the same release pattern as Kraven the Hunter, you can expect Until Dawn to stream on Netflix around late July 2025, aka three months after the movie opened in theaters in the U.S. Or perhaps you'll see Until Dawn on Netflix around late August 2025, aka about four months after the movie opens in theaters. We're almost positive Until Dawn will stream on Netflix before the end of the year. It will be free to stream for anyone with a Netflix subscription. For now, you can watch the Until Dawn movie in theaters.
