User reviews

As someone who has played and loved Until Dawn I was so excited for this movie to release.

Unfortunately I was incredibly disappointed. If this was an original horror movie I would've liked it more than I did.

The film had some good scary moments, decent cast, setting, gore and character design. The kills were inventive and looked good. But this was NOT enough to save this movie.

This was not Until Dawn. This was a poor effort in putting some elements from the game into a messy incoherent movie. The plot was not intriguing and it had little to no mystery/lore that the game so perfectly created. In summary it was a combination of random "scary" things that added very little to the overall experience.

The movie had the makings of an interesting story. But by the finale, nothing was really explained and it ended underwhelmingly.

I would've preferred a carbon copy of the game. I appreciate the effort to try something but when the game had very little to fault I don't understand why so much was changed. At least keep the snowy setting.

Disappointed.

These reviews have me wondering how good the game is. As it seems, any reviewer who loved the game didn't enjoy this movie. Well I enjoyed it. But I haven't played the game, yet!

I'm not saying this is the scariest and best horror movie I've ever seen. The concept was really fun. The acting was pretty good. The reason the friends were there, a little silly but added an interesting dynamic.

I came into this movie with an open mind, and enjoyed it. I could watch it again, but I don't have to.

The kills are fun, the spook factors are a little hit and miss, and perhaps I would liked to have seen more different monsters come to life. But that's life and I can't say i disagree with the director on any decisions that were made. Sometimes you can't have it all.

The atmosphere of the movie is sort of typical isolation/cabin fever style with a ground hog day twist. In some ways it reminded of a good rogue like video game, every night is something sort of different.

I actually gave this movie a 6.5/10. I enjoyed it, I liked the story and acting. I also enjoyed not knowing what the threat was going to be next. It's a fun movie, and that's the point.

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 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.

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.

I don't see why a lot of people are hating on this. It was a new take on the beloved video game. One thing I didn't like tho was I didn't really care for the characters at all. Most did a good job acting. Max was just terrible and his one liners made me cringe almost every time. Nina was actually pretty good giving the most main character energy. With that being said, Clover was kinda mid and forgettable for being the main main character. BUT. With how the deaths were orchestrated and conducted, really made this movie super good! I actually liked that they changed it up from the video game, because I played the game like 4 times. So here's my conclusion. If you're looking for a carbon copy of the game, then this movie isn't for you . If you loved the game and ready for a movie with new twists based on the game. Then go grab your tickets and popcorn!

Zero originality, just a pastiche of multiple horror movies rolled into one.

Scary clown, creepy witch, masked thing on the ceiling etc etc etc.

Characters were not developed at all, but quite likeable none the less. Not the worst movie, but I'm so tired of these creatively vacuous faximiles being churned out. I feel like I've seen this movie a thousand times before, and I'm sure I'll see a thousand more.

Until Dawn (2025) takes place in the same universe as the video game, and while it's not a direct adaptation, it has some fun little Easter eggs for fans. It follows Clover and her friends as they return to the remote valley where her sister disappeared a year earlier. They explore this creepy abandoned visitor centre and then a masked killer shows up and starts picking them off one by one. But after they die, they mysteriously wake up at the start of the same night again. There are some genuinely fun moments here. The kills are awesome, really creative and super violent. Big A+ on the gore. A lot of it is practical effects too, which I always love. Sure, there's some CGI, but the practical stuff looks amazing and makes the kills hit harder. There are even some funny moments sprinkled in, which I appreciated. Each night plays out a little differently with new killers and deaths, which was kind of fun to watch. Some nights are stronger than others. One of them dragged a lot, nothing really happened except for one important detail. It was definitely the weakest part of the movie, especially after it started so strong. Thankfully, the next night brought it back to life. There's a moment where a character looks through old videos on their phone from past days they don't remember. I wish they'd done more with it. Instead of just showing the videos one by one, it would've been way more effective as a fast paced montage. It could've really ramped up the tension and adrenaline. It just felt like they skipped over a bunch of really cool stuff we didn't get to see. The movie is loosely inspired by the game, and that's where some people might be disappointed. It has the wendigos, the masked killer (the psycho), and even the doctor, but it's not the same characters or story. I get why fans wanted a more faithful adaptation (I'd love a true Until Dawn movie too!), but for what it is, it wasn't bad at all. The ending hints at a sequel, showing a snowy cabin and a car pulling up. It looks like it's setting up the events before the game takes place. If you haven't played the game, I think you'll enjoy this even more. For me, it wasn't perfect, but it was still fun, and I'd watch it again.

4 out of 5 stars.

Until Dawn is a good survival horror film that is based on a video game. Which I am a fan of. It is loosely following the game but has plenty of Easter eggs that ties up to how the game is.

The plot is good. About a group of teens getting stuck in a time loop in a cabin. Trying to survive every night with something new trying to kill them. The plot was not complicated to get. It messes with the concept of every character trying to survive. There was a couple of jump scares and it is one bloody fun horror film to see.

However, the cast ensemble is forgettable. The young adult characters are poorly written and tedious. The acting is not that great either which could have been better.

Overall, it is a good film just got to get pass the horrible acting and enjoy the film for what it is.

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.

My quick rating - 6.5/10. Until Dawn isn't a shot-for-shot retelling of the excellent video game (I recently finished the remake), and that's probably for the best. This new adaptation, directed by David F. Sandberg, takes some liberties with the source material but manages to spin it into something uniquely brutal, atmospheric, and surprisingly thoughtful in its own way. It's far from flawless, but there's enough here to enjoy, especially for those who appreciate horror with a bloody edge and an experimental twist.

Set one year after the mysterious disappearance of her sister Melanie, Clover (Ella Rubin) and a group of not-so-close "friends" venture into a remote valley seeking answers. Their journey leads them to an abandoned visitor center where things quickly unravel. They're stalked by a masked killer, violently picked off one by one... only to wake up right back at the start of the same evening. Yes, the film dips into Groundhog Day horror territory, but to its credit, it doesn't just replay the same events each time. The variations and the psychological descent the characters experience are what keep it engaging.

Right from the opening moments, it's clear this group can't stand each other. That actually works in the movie's favor-when the deaths start piling up, you're not heartbroken, but you are entertained. There's a certain twisted glee in watching a dysfunctional group try (and fail) to survive night after night. It's not about warm friendships but survival instinct and fraying sanity. And that change in dynamic suits the grim tone Until Dawn is going for.

Fans of the original game might be put off by the lack of snowy mountaintops and the absence of key early-game story elements, especially the prank setup involving Josh. That was a memorable, defining twist in the game, and here it's glossed over with only a subtle nod. But that's where some understanding is required: the game was a multi-path experience with endless outcomes, while the film is confined to a singular narrative arc. Expecting it to be identical is misguided. It's a different medium, and this story chooses to focus more on fear manipulation and looping trauma.

There are still ties to the original, and one in particular at the end could suggest a direction for a sequel. No spoilers, but it's enough of a breadcrumb to keep fans intrigued. Sandberg smartly builds on the idea of horror as a psychological experiment, twisting the characters through repeating dread and escalating violence.

The kills are vicious, the gore is top-notch, and there's genuine creativity in how each death is executed. It's not just slasher fodder; there's some imagination at play. Ella Rubin gives a standout performance as Clover, especially in her more... unhinged moments. Without giving too much away, let's just say she makes "possessed and terrifying" work in a way that's both unsettling and captivating.

All in all, Until Dawn is a solid adaptation-not perfect, but a bold and bloody interpretation that pays homage without being enslaved by the source. Fans willing to accept it on its own terms will find a lot to like. Here's hoping this is just the beginning.

Check out my daily reviews at jackmeat dot com.

I was honestly really curious about the movie at first - the game is one of the best horror experiences I've ever had. Unfortunately, my hopes were already crushed after the very first trailer, and after watching the film, I can only say: it was even worse than expected.

The beginning actually isn't that bad: a few cool, crazy deaths, a mix of different horror genres (slasher, ghosts, monsters), and a bit of a Groundhog Day vibe that made it genuinely fun for a while. For a moment, I thought maybe they'd just do their own entertaining thing, even if it had nothing to do with the game anymore.

But then... the movie completely falls apart. After just three nights of horror, the whole story suddenly gets skipped over. There's no buildup, no development, no tension. Instead of becoming clever or making survival feel exciting, the characters just randomly stumble through the plot. Everything becomes flat, boring, and absolutely uninteresting.

And then the biggest joke: at the end, the movie desperately tries to somehow tie itself into the Until Dawn lore. But it just feels cheap and completely disrespectful to what made the game so special. No emotion, no real danger, no real characters - just empty shells wandering through a story that doesn't even take itself seriously.

Such a shame. The basic idea had real potential if they had just stuck with the fun, creative tone from the first half. Instead, we got one of those typical "we know better than the original" disaster movies. A complete waste of time and money.

I can't help but feel sorry for Peter Stormare (who is also Swedish) and the terrible roles he gets, and this movie is no exception. The plot revolves around five unsympathetic teenagers who are stuck in a house while they search for one of the girls' sisters. The effects are on par with a school play, the monsters look cheap, the makeup is amateurish, but the worst part is the acting - or the total lack thereof. These so-called young actors simply can't perform in front of the camera! Furthermore, they consistently make the most illogical choices at every turn until it becomes comical, but for all the wrong reasons. The result is yet another teen movie where everyone just runs around screaming. It's not even bad enough to be funny. Honestly, I found myself dozing off several times during the movie. Avoid at all cost.

My mom and I went to see this today. Here are my thoughts.

The movie is minimal. One place, a small group. It is mostly easy to follow. A bit at the end I may have missed a part. But it is just a movie to watch.

The scenes are cool. You get the feeling that are in an old place that is full of secretes.

The acting was good. You get the sense that the people are stuck in an awful scene and are trying to figure it out.

It was almost too simple. Very minimalistic. I mean they just seem to be ok with the fact that they keep living the same day repeatedly. Sure, they want out. But it just all seems to go by far to easily.

I cannot imagine this movie will make a lot of money in the theater. Just the type that it is. But I had fun seeing it. A cool theater movie to see, I think.

I knew it's from a video game, had seen some people played it, and seen clips of it but never played it, so i'll judge it as it is.

Until Dawn feels like a compilations of what is wrongs with every sub-genres of horror films. None of the characters were likeable, stupid decisions were made, excruciatingly corny lines, cringe humor, these weird forced romances, and it happened over and over again.

The biggest problem for me is that the lack of chemistry between these casts, these people doesn't seem like they're 'friends'. Which makes it hard to care about if these characters survived or not.

Pretty sure David F. Sandbergs most brutally morbid film that's a fun fact that I love! The director did Shazam films those are solid, Annabelle Creation and Lights Out I remember years ago seeing Lights out back in the day among very few where numerous teenagers were obnoxious lucky I've barely had that.

Anyways about Until Dawn the casting is perfect especially the girl that played Nina and Clover they are phenomenal, the directing was so good at least to me one of the directors best films deserves praise and awesome horror elements. Glad this at least has a 6.1 that's good enough on IMDb; I had fun with this I was even hella tired which added on to the emotions.

"Until Dawn" is a decent film, entertaining in some scenes and dull in others. Its script, based on the 2015 video game of the same name, is interesting, but as I mentioned, it has its ups and downs. It combines, in a less than successful way, several horror subgenres such as slasher, gore, found footage, and even includes a witch, zombies, and a mad scientist. The cast performs well, with Ella Rubin and Michael Cimino standing out. The director's work could have been better, but he manages to maintain a decent level in his film. The cinematography achieves an oppressive atmosphere reminiscent at times of horror films from the mid-2000s and early 2010s. The special effects have a mixed result, ranging from positive in makeup effects to negative in digital effects. The editing is good without standing out in any novel way. "Until Dawn" is a decent film with no further pretensions.

So, there are some reviews here saying that is "the best horror movie ever", which is a lie and no one in their right mind would have said that.

The movie is really bad, all they had to do was to follow the source material but like always when it comes to these adaptations they always choose to make original stories and i don't even know why. These original stories are always horrible.

Also, it almost doesn't have anything to do with Until Dawn, it has some easter eggs but that's it. They should have named this movie "13 nights" or something like that, by using the name of the game, it's the proof that they are taking advantage of it to lie to people and make them go to the cinema thinking they are going to watch Until Dawn when it isn't even the case.

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.

I went to this see this one at the theaters on a bored Thursday, with Regal Unlimited. I was the only one at my screening. In the end, I was pleasantly surprised by this one

Firstly - I'll clarify that I had never heard of the video game until this movie, so I entered the theater with a fresh slate. I don't know if familiarity with the video game might make the movie more or less enjoyable; I can't speak on that issue

Initially, I was skeptical about this film. The concept seemed a little shaky - the idea of people replaying a bad day seems trite. But in truth, the characters don't simply experience the same day over and over again. Rather, they encounter different horrors each day; the effect is that the film doesn't become another Happy Death Day . And the horrors that they experience are often well-done. The villains are menacing; some of the kills are cool. The movie has the right pacing.

Most of all, I think the movie's biggest strength comes from the behavior of the characters when they're trapped in the loop. I admit that none of them, including the lead protagonist Clover, are especially likable or charming; and the movie's opening scenes are weak as a result: the movie doesn't really click until they actually end up in the loop. But once they're in the loop, the characters refreshingly behave reasonably. They don't do a lot of dumb stuff; their choices and questions seem realistic and thoughtful. While they argue and fight amongst themselves a few times (mostly with the character Blake), none of their bickering is overdone to the point of irritance, and nobody really becomes a total annoyance or jerk. Overall - I never rolled my eyes at the behavior of the characters, a rare feat in most horror movies

The film does have it's faults. The backstory of the setting and the loop isn't clear. The movie has a subplot involving the lead actress and her missing sister: this subplot is undeveloped and forgettable. In the end, I think they should have scrapped that detail from the script. While the movie is very much watchable, there's nothing here that's completely original or groundbreaking

6.5/10.

Horrible. Absolutely horrible.

The movie was nothing short of a disaster. From the very beginning, it was clear that this was not going to be a pleasant experience. The storyline was weak, the dialogue was painfully awkward, and the entire atmosphere of the film felt forced and artificial. It was as if the writers had no idea what made the original game so special. They simply threw together a few random elements, slapped the name on it, and hoped that fans would be too excited to notice the complete lack of effort.

The scenes were extremely predictable. Within the first five minutes, I could already tell exactly what was going to happen next. There was no suspense, no surprise, no excitement. Every plot twist could be seen coming from a mile away, and every emotional moment felt fake and overacted. It was incredibly frustrating to sit there, watching scene after scene unfold exactly as I had predicted, with absolutely no originality or creativity.

What upset me the most was the complete disconnect from the original game. As someone who has loved the game for years, I went into the theater with high hopes, expecting to see a faithful adaptation that respected the source material. Instead, what I got was a shallow, half-hearted attempt that seemed to misunderstand everything about the original story. There were maybe two references to the game, and even those were poorly executed, completely missing the point and spirit of the original. It felt like a slap in the face to every loyal fan who had been eagerly waiting for this movie.

Not only was the story bad, but the characters were even worse. They felt one-dimensional, lacking any real depth or development. I couldn't connect with any of them, and I certainly didn't care about what happened to them. They just existed to move the plot along, delivering their lines with no real emotion or conviction. It honestly felt like the actors themselves knew how bad the script was, and were just going through the motions to collect a paycheck.

The dialogue was so cringe-worthy at times that I couldn't help but laugh - and I wasn't alone. Throughout the screening, I heard other people in the theater chuckling quietly or even openly laughing at how ridiculous some of the scenes were. There were moments that were supposed to be serious or emotional, but instead they came off as awkward, forced, and unintentionally funny. It was clear that the movie had completely failed to connect with its audience on any emotional level.

Visually, the film was unimpressive. Some of the effects looked cheap and outdated, as if the production team had run out of budget halfway through filming. Even the action scenes, which could have at least provided some entertainment, were poorly choreographed and unimaginative. There was no excitement, no tension, no thrill - just a series of predictable fights and explosions that felt more like a checklist than a genuine attempt to engage the audience.

The pacing was another major issue. The film dragged painfully in some parts, with scenes that seemed to go on forever without adding anything meaningful to the story. At other times, it rushed through important plot points, leaving the audience confused and unsatisfied. It felt like the filmmakers had no idea what to focus on, so they just crammed everything together in the hope that something would stick.

By the time the credits rolled, I was completely exhausted - not from the emotional rollercoaster that a good film provides, but from sheer boredom and frustration. I couldn't believe that I had spent my hard-earned money on something so poorly made. It genuinely felt like the worst money I have ever spent in my life.

As a fan of the original game, this movie was beyond disappointing. It wasn't just a bad adaptation; it was a bad movie, period. It lacked heart, soul, and any sense of passion. It was clear that it had been made purely for profit, with no real respect or love for the source material. I walked out of the theater feeling cheated, frustrated, and honestly a little bit angry.

I would not recommend this movie to anyone - not to fans of the game, not to newcomers, not to anyone looking for a decent story or a fun night out. It was a complete waste of time, energy, and money. If you're thinking about watching it, do yourself a favor and skip it. Spend your evening doing literally anything else; you'll be much happier for it.

Looking back, I realize that my expectations were probably too high. I had hoped for something faithful, something respectful, something crafted with care and attention to detail. Instead, I got a rushed, poorly thought-out mess that left me shaking my head in disbelief. This experience has made me much more cautious about getting excited for movie adaptations in the future.

In short, this movie was a total trainwreck - predictable, emotionless, and disconnected from its source material. I regret every minute I spent watching it and every cent I spent on it. I can only hope that future adaptations will learn from mistakes like this and do a better job of honoring the stories and characters that fans love so much.