Article by Bec.

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When Sony announced a live-action adaptation of Until Dawn, the 2015 horror game that defined a generation, I was beyond excited—but also a little wary.
Video game adaptations have a shaky track record, and this film was making bold changes to the original story-line. However, after watching it, I can confidently say: Until Dawn isn’t just another game-to-film flop.
It’s a terrifying, exhilarating, and surprisingly fresh take on a well-loved universe.

From Gameplay to the Big Screen—My Journey with ‘Until Dawn’

I first discovered Until Dawn through PewDiePie’s playthrough series back in 2016, and although I absolutely hate Horror, this game, somehow won me over. It was one of the first titles that made me fall in love with gaming; thanks to its gripping story and lifelike motion-capture performances.
Fast forward to 2021, when I finally got my first PlayStation 4, Until Dawn was the first game I purchased—
That is how much I adore it.
Even though I already knew Until Dawn’s major plot twists, it’s “choose-your-own-adventure” butterfly-effect gameplay meant every choice felt uniquely mine.
When Sony revealed a live-action adaptation in 2025, I was ecstatic.
The trailer dropped, and while I was thrilled, the drastic changes made me sceptical—new characters, a different setting, and a time-loop twist, instead of a single night of terror.
But when BOOM Radio was offered free tickets, I grabbed them instantly.

Diving Into the Story—A Fresh Take on Horror

The film kicks off with Clover, whose sister Melanie vanished over a year ago during a solo road trip to New York.
Clover and her friends Abel, Max, Nina, and Megan retrace Melanie’s journey, leading them to an eerily familiar gas station, from Melanie’s old videos. A worker suggests they investigate Glore Valley—a mysterious place notorious for disappearances.
Upon arriving, the Nightmare begins!
—Or rather, 13 Nights of horror, thanks to the film’s new time-loop twist.
Unlike the game, where players faced either Wendigo or the Clown Killer (who, funnily enough, never actually killed anyone), the movie cranks up the horror dial.
The deaths are gruesome, ranging from demonic possession to spontaneous human combustion! Far beyond anything I expected.
‘And Where are the Wendigo’, you ask?
Well, here’s the twist—our protagonists are slowly becoming the monsters themselves!
If trapped in Glore Valley for too long without breaking the curse; they begin losing their sanity, growing hungrier and hungrier, until eventually morphing into full-fledged Wendigo.
We also learn that the true origin of The Valley’s horrors, stem from an old mining disaster; where in an entire town collapsed underground, unleashing the nightmare that now haunts The Valley.

Final Verdict—A Surprising Horror Masterpiece

After 13 brutal Nights, the group finally figures out how to break the time-loop and escape.
By the end, I was completely blown away by how much I loved this film.
Many game adaptations fail, because they try to retell the same story—but Until Dawn (2025), does the exact opposite.
Instead of a predictable retread, it creates a new story within the same universe; keeping the spirit of the game while offering something fresh.
The time-loop mechanic was an ingenious nod to the game’s butterfly effect, allowing us to witness different character deaths without losing them permanently.
It felt like the most logical way to translate a choice-driven game into a structured movie experience.
On top of that, the acting was phenomenal!
I didn’t recognize any of the actors. Which helped maintain immersion, rather than pulling me out of the horror with familiar faces.

Ultimately, Until Dawn is thrilling, terrifying, emotionally gripping, and even darkly funny at times. It exceeded my expectations—an absolute 10/10 entertainment experience that I highly recommend, especially if you love horror or the original game.