'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.
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The Sun
13-05-2025
- 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
- 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.
The Star
02-05-2025
- The Star
Horror game abruptly removed from sale: ‘Ridiculous that this happens'
PC Gamer reports how Evil Dead: The Game – which, yes, is indeed a video game based on the iconic Evil Dead franchise – suddenly disappeared this week from the Epic Games Store and PlayStation Store. — Saber Interactive Plenty of people certainly don't find this groovy. A multiplayer horror game was abruptly pulled from sale the other day. And its publisher still hasn't given a reason as to why. PC Gamer reports how Evil Dead: The Game – which, yes, is indeed a video game based on the iconic Evil Dead franchise – suddenly disappeared this week from the Epic Games Store and PlayStation Store. The game – which was only just launched three years ago – then disappeared from Steam, too. A statement from publisher Saber Interactive posted to the platform explains that, even though people won't be able to buy it any more, those who have already purchased Evil Dead: The Game will still be able to play it 'as we plan to keep our servers online for everyone.' According to its Steam summary, Evil Dead: The Game lets players 'Step into the shoes of Ash Williams or his friends … in a game loaded with over-the-top co-op & PVP multiplayer action!' Many players online speculated that this sudden delisting was the result of expensive movie IP rights; others believe Evil Dead: The Game had been dead on arrival. A lot, however, are sad to see the silly goose time end. 'Sigh, this is why I don't buy the movie games,' reads one Reddit comment at the news. 'It's ridiculous that this happens.' 'A shame, this game really looked exactly how I wanted an Evil Dead game to look and the gameplay loop was fun,' reads another. 'The team that made this really should've made it into a single-player game instead … of trying to capitalised on Dead by Daylight's success.' Saber Interactive still hasn't provided a full reason for Evil Dead: The Game getting delisted as of the publishing of this report. – News Service
