Until Dawn isn’t trying to win Oscars—it’s here to trap you in a blood-soaked time loop and throw jump scares at your face until you’re screaming or laughing. In this Until Dawn movie review, I’m breaking down why David F. Sandberg’s take on the cult video game is more haunt maze than high cinema, why you shouldn’t expect a 1:1 game adaptation, and why it’s still a bloody good time—especially if you love your thrillers fast, fun, and messy. Spoiler-free zone here—but if you’re dying for the deeper cuts, catch my full breakdown on Not Another Spooky Podcast.
Until Dawn Movie Review: Welcome to the Loop, Don’t Get Comfortable
The plot? Simple. A group of friends wake up in a snowy cabin and quickly realize they’re stuck in a brutal, repeating time loop. Someone—or something—is hunting them. Every time they die, the loop resets… until they figure out how to survive Until Dawn.
It’s chaos from the jump. No slow burn, no soft intros. The movie throws us into the loop almost immediately, and honestly? I wasn’t ready. But once I caught my breath, I had a blast watching the bodies drop.
Think Happy Death Day meets Fear Street with a ghost town slasher vibe. At times, it gave me Chilling Adventures of Sabrina vibes.
Until Dawn Movie Review: Does It Follow the Game?
Let’s get this out of the way: this is NOT a direct adaptation of the Until Dawn video game.
Yes, it’s inspired by the same world. Yes, Peter Stormare is back as a version of Dr. Hill (iconic, as always). But no, this isn’t the story of Josh, Sam, or the Wendigo. If you go in expecting that? You’re gonna be confused or disappointed.
But if you haven’t played the game (hi, that’s me), it honestly doesn’t matter. The movie works just fine on its own. It borrows vibes—not plot—and focuses on giving horror fans a fun, bloody ride with a supernatural mystery twist.
Until Dawn Movie Review: Cast, Chaos & Creative Kills
The young cast delivers exactly what you want in a movie like this: screaming, sass, and a little heart. Standouts include:
• Ella Rubin as the final girl you root for even when she makes bad decisions
• Odessa A’zion and Ji-young Yoo bringing the loyal best friend energy
• Belmont Cameli and Michael Cimino adding depth and tension
• Maia Mitchel did incredible as a villain
• Peter Stormare, of course, stealing scenes with unsettling charisma
And yes—the kills are fun. We’ve got inventive, gnarly deaths, some killer sound design, and just enough gore to satisfy without going full splatterfest. The pacing might feel rushed at first, but once the loop mechanics kick in, it clicks.
Until Dawn Movie Review: Why It Feels Like a Haunt
Watching Until Dawn felt like walking through a high-budget horror attraction—one where you’re not sure what’s real, what’s looping, or who’s next to die.
It’s not flawless. The first act flies by too fast, and horror fans hoping for a deep mystery or game-accurate lore might feel let down. But once you accept the ride for what it is—a wild, stylish thriller with a slasher spirit—it becomes a lot of fun.
Would I call it the horror film of the year? Nah. But would I watch it again with friends, popcorn, and a blanket to scream into? Absolutely.
🎙️ Want the Full Breakdown? Listen to Our Podcast Review!
➡️ Catch our spoiler-filled thoughts on Not Another Spooky Podcast—where we dive into the kills, the loops, and why it might be better not to play the game before watching.
Final Thoughts: Until Dawn Movie Review Recap
Until Dawn is a haunted house of a movie—rushed, rowdy, but ultimately fun. If you go in expecting a game-faithful adaptation, you’ll likely be thrown off. But if you want a spooky, stylish slasher romp with a looping twist? You’ll have a good time.
Not perfect. Not deep. But definitely rewatchable.
🕸 Until next time, sending you ghouls and kisses!
