Movie Review Until Dawn: The Secret of Horror

About the movie Until Dawn: The Secret of Horror

“Until Dawn: The Secret Horror” (original title: Until Dawn), a horror film released in Vietnam in May 2025, is an ambitious effort by director David F. Sandberg to adapt Sony's famous 2015 horror game. With the idea of combining bloody slasher style with Groundhog Day-style time loop, the film promises to bring a new horror experience. However, despite possessing a creative premise and memorable moments, Until Dawn leaves viewers regretful for not exploiting its full potential. The film stars Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, Odessa A'zion, Ji-young Yoo, Belmont Cameli and Peter Stormare (reprising the role from the game).

Sony announced the project in January 2024, with PlayStation Productions producing. Principal photography took place from August to October 2024 in Budapest.

The film was released in the United States on April 25, 2025, distributed by Sony Pictures, grossing $18 million worldwide (budget $15 million) and receiving mixed reviews from critics.

Production team:

Director: David F. Sandberg.

Writers: Gary Dauberman & Blair Butler.

Based on: Until Dawn (PlayStation Studios) game.

Producers: Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, David F. Sandberg, Lotta Losten, Roy Lee, Gary Dauberman, Mia Maniscalco.

Movie Review Until Dawn: The Secret of Horror

Until Dawn's Plot - Good Idea, But Lacks Innovation

The film follows Clover (Ella Rubin) and her group of friends, Max (Michael Cimino), Nina (Odessa A'zion), Abel (Belmont Cameli) and Megan (Ji-young Yoo), as they travel to a remote valley to find Clover's sister Melanie, who went missing a year ago. There, they find themselves trapped in a sinister time loop: hunted and murdered by a killer wearing a disfigured clown mask, only to wake up and repeat the nightmare. The idea, reminiscent of Edge of Tomorrow or Happy Death Day, feels like a video game adapted for the screen, where death is just a reset point.

The screenplay’s bright spots are its connections to the original game through small fan-friendly details, like the return of Peter Stormare as a mysterious “incestuous” supervillain. However, the film fails to capitalize on the opportunity to turn each loop into a unique horror experience, as the initial promise of changing styles – from slasher to haunted house, found footage, or even David Lynch-style nightmares – suggests. Instead, the loops become monotonous, repeating familiar motifs with monsters emerging from the ground and a series of jump scares. This gradually makes the film lose its appeal, becoming an unimaginative horror version, reminiscent of The Descent but lacking in depth.

Acting and character - Good but lacking depth

Until Dawn's young cast is passable, but the script doesn't give them much room to shine. Ella Rubin gives a resilient but unremarkable Clover, while Michael Cimino and Odessa A'zion are just okay in their one-dimensional characters. Ji-young Yoo, who impressed in Expats, is wasted as Megan, a girl with psychic abilities who isn't explored in depth. Peter Stormare is a notable highlight, but his screen time is too short to make a big impact.

The characters, while capable, lack psychological development or strong enough connections for the audience to truly care about. When the story attempts to weave in the town's past or related secrets, the viewer becomes tired of the repetition and is no longer motivated to empathize.

Until Dawn's Horror Techniques and Atmosphere

Technically, Until Dawn is a mixed bag. The film’s biggest selling point is its practical effects, with elaborate, bloody, and creatively choreographed kills. From eye-piercing stabbings to Scanners-style head explosions, the carnage is detailed and gruesome enough to satisfy hardcore horror fans. Prioritizing practical effects over over-reliance on CGI is a smart choice, creating haunting and realistic moments.

The jump scares, although not too new, are still staged effectively, enough to make the audience jump in the theater. The isolated, suffocating atmosphere of the snow-covered valley scene is also well-built, combined with the scary appearance of the killer and the monsters to create a sense of tension. In particular, a segment related to water in the house that makes the character "explode" is a rare creative highlight, bringing a new feeling between the familiar lines.

However, the visuals are a major drawback. Maxime Alexandre, despite being a talented cinematographer, delivers lifeless, underexposed, and flat frames that are a complete contrast to the impressive visual language of the original game. The sound, although boosted to increase the drama, sometimes becomes too much, making the audience tired instead of scared. The editing is too fast and confusing, also reducing the power of the horror scenes, making the film sometimes look more like a horror music video than a complete film.

Until Dawn Review - An entertaining, but incomplete horror film

Until Dawn is an entertaining horror film with some impressive gore and a unique time loop concept. However, the lack of consistency in plot, character development, and style holds the film back from reaching the heights it could have. Instead of being a groundbreaking horror film, Until Dawn is just a decent slasher with some bright spots, but easily forgettable after leaving the theater.

If you’re a horror fan and just need a good scare, Until Dawn is still worth checking out. But if you’re looking for a memorable cinematic experience or a tribute to the original game, you’ll probably want to play Until Dawn again on PS5 rather than in a theater.

Suitable for:

Fan of slasher horror movies, loves blood and creative killing.

Those who want to experience an entertaining horror movie with lots of effective jump scares.

Audiences are curious about the idea of time loops in a horror setting.

Not suitable for:

People with weak heart or cannot stand violence and blood.

Audiences expect a deep plot or characters with depth.

Those expecting a revolutionary or groundbreaking horror film.