‘Until Dawn’ Movie Review: A Time-Looping Horror Romp

Director David F. Sandberg returns to the horror genre with “Until Dawn,” after directing two “Shazam!” movies [1]. The “Lights Out” filmmaker seems to be in his element with this new project, set in a remote cabin filled with terrifying monsters.

Core Elements of Horror

Sandberg, like any seasoned horror director, understands the essential ingredients for a successful scare-fest: a group of young people, a creepy cabin, and, in this case, clowns. The script, penned by Blair butler and Gary Dauberman, draws inspiration from the PlayStation game of the same name, originally written by Larry Fessenden and Graham Reznick. The film adaptation tips its hat to classics like “Evil Dead” and “Poltergeist,” evident in its setting, characters, and generous use of gore.

Meta-Horror Influences

“Until dawn” also incorporates postmodern, self-referential elements reminiscent of “The Cabin in the Woods” and “Happy Death Day.” It blends traditional horror tropes with video game mechanics, such as repetition and multiple lives, creating a unique experience that is part genre tribute, part choose-your-own-adventure, and part interactive haunted house.

Plot Overview

The story follows a group of young adults who arrive at a strange “Welcome Center” during a weekend trip to find Melanie (maia Mitchell), the sister of Clover (Ella Rubin), who has been missing for a year. Clover’s friends Max (Michael Cimino), Megan (Ji-young Yoo), and Nina (Odessa A’zion) join, along with Nina’s new boyfriend, Abe (Belmont Cameli). The atmosphere is immediately ominous, and things quickly spiral out of control. However, an hourglass turns, time rewinds, and the friends find themselves alive again, retaining the memories of their previous deaths. The question becomes: what new horror awaits them in the next time loop?

survive the night or become a part of it.

This cryptic message, whispered to Clover during her second loop, holds the key to their survival. If thay can make it to sunrise without being killed, they will be safe, at least for now. Each loop brings new nightmares, dangers, and predators, preventing the group from gaining any real advantage. they are forced to die repeatedly, searching for a way out of the temporal maze. But how many chances do they truly have?

Familiar Tropes, Unexpected Twists

Sandberg, along with Dauberman and Butler, operates within a familiar horror landscape, utilizing well-worn stereotypes before subverting them with unexpected twists. While the characters and setting may seem familiar, the filmmakers strive to keep the audience guessing.

The Enigmatic Peter Stormare

Peter Stormare adds an element of intrigue as a creepy gas station attendant and/or trauma psychologist. His character, who once researched the town’s devastating mine collapse, is now studying the transformative effects of fear. However, his research does little to explain the zombie miners in clown masks or other supernatural elements. Ultimately, “Until Dawn” operates on its own internal logic, where the established rules of its universe are all that matter.

Character Dynamics

The time-loop structure allows for deeper exploration of the characters. While they initially appear as typical horror archetypes—the “final girl,” the jock, the sarcastic friend, the quirky bestie—they evolve into fully realized individuals with their own sardonic self-awareness. Despite infighting and conflict,the group remains united,a departure from the typical horror movie trope of friends turning on each other.

A B-Movie Homage

Sandberg embraces the B-movie roots of “Until Dawn,” paying homage to the films that paved the way for this type of horror. He even includes playful nods to his own previous work. The film is highly likely to appeal to fans who appreciate both reverence and unexpected twists, offering a bloody and entertaining romp in the woods.