5 SEC REVIEW | UNTIL DAWN
Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, Odessa A'zion, Ji-young Yoo, and Belmont Cameli
The 2025 film adaptation of Until Dawn, based on the cult-favorite 2015 video game of the same name, brings a fresh cinematic spin to the interactive horror story while walking a tightrope between fan expectations and original storytelling. Featuring a rising ensemble cast—Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, Odessa A'zion, Ji-young Yoo, and Belmont Cameli—the film attempts to reimagine the game’s atmospheric tension and moral dilemmas for the big screen.
Set in a mountain lodge where secrets are buried deep and something sinister stalks in the shadows, the movie retains the game's essential premise: a group of friends trapped and hunted during a reunion gone terribly wrong. Stylistically, it preserves the eerie isolation and creeping dread that made the original game so gripping.
Ella Rubin and Michael Cimino carry much of the emotional load, breathing depth into characters that, in the game, could often feel archetypal. The film also does well to shift the focus away from just survival horror toward more psychological themes, leaning into grief, trauma, and trust.
However, purists may be divided. The film foregoes the game’s "butterfly effect" mechanic, which gave players control over decisions and consequences, replacing interactivity with a more traditional linear narrative. Some iconic in-game moments are altered or omitted, which may disappoint fans looking for a faithful adaptation.
Ultimately, Until Dawn the film is more spiritual companion than direct replica. It's not a one-to-one adaptation, but it succeeds in translating the game's emotional and thematic essence while adding its own cinematic voice. Fans of the original may miss the gameplay-driven intensity, but horror audiences will find enough chills and character drama to make it a worthy watch.
3/5
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