Do you think you have what it takes to make itUntil Dawn? That’s the question that the cast of characters in Sony’s next video game adaptation have to ask themselves.The first trailer for the movie adaptation of the immensely popular, choose-your-own-adventure horror gameUntil Dawndropped today, and it’s shocking audiences, especially fans of the game.The trailer shows off just how differentLights Outdirector David F. Sanberg’s adaptation will be from the beloved video game, and it’s pretty awesome.
Sony recently released a featuretteon the making of the film, explaining the out-of-the-box concept for the adaptation. The original game features a linear story about young adults trying to survive a night with a killer, while putting the player in control of who lives and who dies. However, the movie version gives maximum potential to the idea of surviving until dawn byputting the unfortunate protagonists into a genre-hopping time loop where every time they die, they restart the night and are hunted by another kind of killer.For horror and video game fans, this is a gold mine.
Much like another popular,genre-inclusive horror game,Dead By Daylight, which also has a film adaptation in the works from Blumhouse, theUntil Dawnmovie puts its protagonists into a death cycle that can only be broken by surviving the night. Having to battle through different genres of hunters, the ensemble cast will have to play the game to make it until dawn.Check out the first trailer for the upcoming adaptation below.
Sony Made the Right Call With ‘Until Dawn’
The game famously already plays like a movie, so it would be quite redundant for fans to watch the same story all over again.While Sony could have simply ripped the story from the popular game and translated it for new movie audiences, it would have been just like any other ensemble horror film. Without the butterfly-effect decision-making mechanic from the game, it wouldn’t be anUntil Dawnadaptation.So, Sandberg found a way to pack as much horror, decision-making, and games as possible into the upcoming film.
The result is, hopefully, a movie that feels like the actors, which include Ella Rubin ofThe Idea of You, Michael Cimino,Ji-young Yoo, and Odessa A’zion of Hulu’sHellraiser,are having to play the game through their characters. While we can’t be sure of its merit yet, the time-loop slasher film is highly intriguing. However, with the talent behind and in front of the camera, we don’t have to worry too much.
By taking a much-needed risk, Sony might be able to turn its bad luck at the box office around with this upcoming horror film. Flipping the signature hourglass from counting down one night to 13 is exactly the sort of high-stakes hook the film adaptation needed.Until Dawnwill be released in theaters on April 25 – the hourglass is already running.
Until Dawn
Until Dawn, directed by David F. Sandberg, follows eight friends trapped on a remote mountain retreat. As they discover they are not alone, tensions rise and they must confront their fears to survive the night.
