Until Dawn is a lot of fun. Packed with gnarly practical effects, epic death sequences, and an intriguing plot, get ready for a bloody blast.
Until Dawn was pretty much exactly what I expected it to be after watching the trailer – a whole lot of fun! This movie feels like Cabin In The Woods and Groundhog Day combined in the perfect way. As someone who has not played the video game, I have nothing to compare it to (and I know some gamers are upset), but as a standalone horror movie, it’s a bloody blast!
This movie follows a group of teens who find themselves in quite a bit of trouble while looking for Clover’s missing sister. Searching her last known location puts them in a valley with some dark secrets. They end up being hunted by a masked killer, only to realize that after they all die, they must restart the night. If they can survive until dawn, they can leave. If not? They will remain a part of the town forever.
Until Dawn is very much a classic horror movie, but with a twist. There are jump scares after jump scares after jump scares – quite a few that got me good – but because the night is reset once everyone dies, it offers a fresh take on what we have come to know as a slasher film. Each night offers new and thrilling ways that these characters can (and absolutely will) die, but it is the deeper plot that really sold me on the movie.
Every time they come back, these kids are a little worse for wear. They are starting to almost decompose, if you will. Death is taking a toll on their bodies, creating yet another obstacle that they are up against. It isn’t just about surviving through the night, it is about surviving through the night before they succumb to it.
The wendigos are some of the most terrifying-looking creatures that I have ever seen, and are often what startled me while watching. They are just human enough to really lay on the creepy factor. Something I really appreciated about them is that they each have their own unique look, which is, of course, due to the circumstances of their creation (something I will not spoil).
Easily my favorite thing about Until Dawn is the use of practical effects. Surely, there is some CG used when necessary, but for the most part, the deaths are all practical, with heavy use of prosthetics. That is what allows this movie to truly shine. It creates a more immersive and believable experience for the viewers, but also clearly helps to put the actors in the situation, making their performances that much more real.
I am a horror buff for many reasons, but one thing that constantly draws me back to the genre is that within the unique and exciting kills, there is always a theme about coming out of the other side of trauma better off than you were going into it.
Until Dawn is no different, as several characters are forced to look inwards and work together if they have any hope of getting out. This movie in particular, also explores our deepest fears, many of which I could relate to.
I had a lot of fun with this movie. It is exactly what I wanted it to be, and I am thrilled about that. While I cannot compare it to the game (at least not yet – it is on my list to play), as a standalone horror movie, it is a blast. I would absolutely watch a sequel, so fingers crossed there is one.
Until Dawn comes to theaters on April 25. This is a movie that deserves to be seen on the big screen with a packed audience. I truly feel that this is the best way to experience it. While it will be fun at home on the couch too, I believe that a theatrical experience will be much better.
The ensemble cast, featuring the fantastic chemistry of Ella Rubin (The Idea of You, Anora), Michael Cimino (Love, Victor, Senior Year), Odessa A’zion (Hellraiser (2022), Grand Army), Ji-young Yoo (Freaky Tales, Smoking Tigers), Belmont Cameli (Saved by the Bell (2020), Along for the Ride), and the always captivating Peter Stormare (Fargo, Constantine), truly elevates the suspense.
Directed by David F. Sandberg (Lights Out, Annabelle: Creation), the plot keeps you guessing with its intriguing twists and turns, and be warned, the jump scares are plentiful and effective. If you’re looking for a fun, gory, and genuinely thrilling horror movie, Until Dawn is a must-watch.
NEXT: Andor Season 2 Review: Thrilling, Captivating, & Pretty Darn Perfect
About Until Dawn
One year after her sister Melanie mysteriously disappeared, Clover and her friends head into the remote valley where she vanished in search of answers. Exploring an abandoned visitor center, they find themselves stalked by a masked killer and horrifically murdered one by one…only to wake up and find themselves back at the beginning of the same evening.
Trapped in the valley, they’re forced to relive the night again and again – only each time the killer threat is different, each more terrifying than the last. Hope dwindling, the group soon realizes they have a limited number of deaths left, and the only way to escape is to survive until dawn.
Until Dawn comes to theaters on April 25.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.