How many times would you be prepared to die – To change the outcome of your death? This is exactly the scenario that plays out in ““Until Dawn,” the live-action adaptation of the popular 2015 PlayStation horror game, released by Sony Pictures.
Here’s how the game works? “Until Dawn” is a horror game where eight friends reunite at a secluded mountain lodge, a year after the disappearance of two sisters. Strange and scary things start unfolding as players make choices that affect the narrative, deciding who survives the night. The game combines classic slasher elements with psychological horror. Resulting in a creation of suspense and horror where betrayal and supernatural dangers lurk around every corner.
The trailer showcases the scenes in Sandberg’s Until Dawn backwards also know as the butterfly effect. This aptly depicts the film’s unique concept in manipulating time. The butterfly effect is a gameplay mechanic, where player choices dramatically alter the story. Utilising this makes this adaptation particularly fascinating. We see the characters getting brutally murdered by killer bugs, masked murderers, creepy zombie girls, and even a shadowy giant. All this only to come back to life and repeat the nightmare with slightly different outcomes each time. The narrative, a key feature of the game, takes on new life in this adaptation, and promises a unique experience.
While the 2025 Until Dawn film is seen to diverge significantly from the game. The trailer hints at how it’s building on the game’s core strengths to deliver a a truly terrifying haunted house tale. This also cleverly sets the film apart. Providing fans a story that’s both unique and familiar. The fresh narrative focuses on Clover (Ella Rubin). A year after her sister Melanie’s (Maia Mitchell) mysterious disappearance, ventures with friends to the remote valley where Melanie vanished. There, they become trapped in a harrowing time loop that forces them to relive the same night repeatedly. Each time facing new, terrifying threats. Their only hope for escape is to “survive until dawn.”
Written by Gary Daubmerman (and based on a previous draft by Blair Butler) “Until Dawn” also stars Michael Cimino (Clover’s ex-boyfriend Max), Ji-young Yoo (Max’s step-sister Megan), Odessa A’zion (Clover’s friend Nina), and Belmont Cameli (Nina’s boyfriend Abel). Peter Stormare will reprise his role from the video game as Dr. Alan J Hill.
The Until Dawn trailer skilfully unveils its horrific premise, using time manipulation to hint at the terrors the characters will face. The sense of inescapable death creates a compelling mystery, leaving audiences anxious to discover if anyone can escape their temporal prison.
About Until Dawn
Synopsis: One year after her sister disappeared, Clover and her friends head to the remote valley where she vanished to search for answers. Exploring an abandoned visitor centre, they soon encounter a masked killer who murders them one by one. However, when they mysteriously wake up at the beginning of the same night, they’re forced to relive the terror over and over again
Genre: Mystery / Horror / Thriller
Director: David F. Sandberg
Writers: Gary Dauberman, Blair Butler
Stars: Ella Rubin . Michael Cimino. Ji-young Yoo . Peter Stormare
Rated: R-rating specifically for blood/gore and strong language
Release Date: 25th April 2025
