Until Dawn: Noche de terror

There's been a lot of hate for this one and I guess us Game Loyalists really wanted the same storyline. But I went in with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. There are lots and lots of nods to the game the psychiatrist, the stalker mask, the butterfly necklace, the mines, the psych hospital , as well as the Groundhog Day, 12:01, Happy Death Day 2U - time plot. There are plenty of good original kills and plenty of original game content and the ending leads a nod to perhaps this was a prequel of what's still to come. There isn't a lot of great horror out there at the moment and I think Sony did and Ok job with this one. It's not great but it's worth a Friday Night Fright Night.

Until Dawn is the latest video game adaption over the hit horror choose your own adventure. Unlike most adaptions, this does its own thing for the most part adding only certain elements and characters from the game into the story. Which will either anger fans of the games or make you interested to see what they do different. I like it doing its own thing. So this Until Dawn follows 5 kids as they get trapped in a death loop while searching for a missing person. The kids are fine although I felt one character gets unrighteously villainized even though they made the most sense. I do like the aspects of togetherness in the kid group as it didn't make any of the kids annoying even though I didn't buy any of their chemistry as friends. The kills are done mostly well. There is a montage section that felt like it would have been better exploring than speeding through it. There is also the stereotypical dumb decisions made by character because they are in a horror movie. I also didn't like their explanation of adding certain creatures from the game and felt a little too fan service. All of that being said, I still had a decent time watching this.

I recently watched Until Dawn (2025) in theaters. The story follows a group of friends searching for one of their missing sisters on a rainy night. Their search leads them to a house-possibly the right one to uncover what happened, but definitely the wrong one to survive, as the house has no intention of letting them leave.

Directed by David F. Sandberg (Shazam!), the film stars Ella Rubin (Anora), Michael Cimino (Never Have I Ever), Odessa A'zion (Hellraiser), Ji-young Yoo (Smoking Tigers), and Maia Mitchell (After the Dark).

I definitely enjoyed this more than I expected. As a PlayStation production, it's shot with a polished, clean style. It reminded me a bit of V/H/S with its layered storytelling-different plots and scenarios folded into an overarching narrative. From an entertainment perspective, it also gave off House of Wax vibes: original kills, satisfying gore, and a straightforward storyline that somehow works despite occasional rough patches in the acting.

I especially loved the kill scenes. There's a great mix of practical effects and CGI. The old lady character was creepy and well executed. There's body detonation and deterioration scenes that are brilliantly done, a nasty throat slash, and an excellent possession scene that stands out. Each villain brought something fresh, and the video sequence toward the end was a highlight. There's a lot happening in this film, and most of it works really well-even if the ending dips into cheesy territory.

In conclusion, Until Dawn feels a bit underrated and is a solid addition to the horror genre. I'd recommend giving it a watch and score it a 6.5-7/10.

Going into this film, I had the unique advantage of being completely unfamiliar with the game it was based on. I hadn't seen trailers, read fan theories, or followed any of the development buzz. My expectations weren't colored by nostalgia or comparisons to the source material. All I had was an open mind - and I came away thoroughly impressed.

Let me start by addressing the elephant in the room. If you've read online reviews or listened to fans of the original game, you've probably heard a lot of criticism. Many longtime players felt the film didn't live up to the standard they expected or deviated too much from the game's lore, mechanics, or tone. While I respect that perspective, I think it's crucial to acknowledge a simple truth: not every adaptation is made solely for the original fanbase. Sometimes, they're designed to welcome newcomers, and this film does that exceptionally well.

From the very beginning, the film pulled me into its world. The atmosphere was rich, immersive, and clearly crafted with care. Visually, it's stunning - full of detail and texture that hint at a deep lore without overwhelming you with exposition. The direction balances action, suspense, and character development in a way that's accessible for viewers like me who don't know the backstory. It's entertaining, engaging, and - most importantly - it stands on its own.

One of the film's biggest strengths is its pacing. It doesn't rely too heavily on prior knowledge, nor does it try to cram in every bit of lore from the game. Instead, it focuses on telling a solid, coherent story with compelling characters and emotional weight. The performances are grounded and believable, especially from the lead, who brings just the right amount of vulnerability and grit. Whether or not you know who this character is "supposed" to be, you'll care about their journey.

The action sequences deserve a special mention. They're well-choreographed, intense, and refreshingly devoid of the kind of overdone CGI that often plagues video game adaptations. There's a tactile quality to the combat and set pieces that gives the film a sense of realism and stakes. You feel the tension, the danger, and the thrill - all without needing to press a button or dodge an enemy yourself.

What really surprised me, though, was how emotionally resonant the film turned out to be. There are moments of quiet introspection, subtle character dynamics, and even a few scenes that hit surprisingly hard. It's clear that the filmmakers wanted to do more than just appeal to fans of the game - they aimed to tell a human story that anyone could connect with. And they succeeded.

Of course, no adaptation is perfect. I'm sure if I were a devoted fan of the original game, I might have noticed choices or changes that felt off. But coming into this with fresh eyes, I didn't see anything that detracted from the experience. If anything, it made me curious about the game and its world - and isn't that part of what an adaptation should do?

In the end, I think it's important not to let negative fan reviews dictate your expectations. This film might not be exactly what longtime players wanted, but for those of us coming in blind, it's a fantastic ride. It stands strong on its own merits and offers an exciting, emotional, and visually rich experience.

So here's my advice: don't listen to the noise. If you're new to the concept like I was, give it a shot. You might just find yourself loving it - just like I did.

Until Dawn is loosely based on a 2015 survival video game. I say loosely as it doesn't follow the game at all.

The mixing of various horror sub-genres from slasher to ghost story to zombies to witchcraft, is an exciting attempt of keeping the audience glued to their seats for the next unexpected way to die for our fateful five protagonists.

The movie Cabin in the Woods come to mind as it resembles it somewhat with all the events monitored by an overlord.

This movie has three to four good jump scares and is not for the faint of heart for sure. Its basically ""Groundhog day"" with a bucket load of blood and gore!

Overall, a bloody good time if you prefer to turn your brains off. However Spontaneous Combustion had me rolling with laughter.