Round Up: Until Dawn Movie Reviews Suggest PS5, PS4 Game Is Still Better

Sony’s beloved PS4 horror gem Until Dawn has transitioned to the cinema with a somewhat loose adaptation that premieres today, April 25th. The original game, which received a remaster on PS5 for mysterious reasons, is regarded as a top choice for many, showcasing Supermassive Games’ finest achievement.

Nevertheless, it seems that the film adaptation has not garnered the same acclaim. Currently, the movie holds a Metacritic score of 53, while its Rotten Tomatoes rating is more favorable at 63 percent.

Below, you will discover a compilation of reviews for the Until Dawn movie, ranging from the most enthusiastic to the most critical and everything else in between. Share your thoughts on whether these opinions inspire you to watch the film in the comments section below.

Screen Rant – 8/10

As unsettling as some scenes are, this horror film features a relatively uplifting conclusion. Despite witnessing numerous characters meet their demise by the end, the audience remains invested in Clover and her friends’ survival. You can’t blame Until Dawn for teasing a potential sequel; the groundwork for an expansive horror universe is evident. Hopefully, this compelling beginning is just the onset of a spine-chilling series that every viewer can appreciate.

SlashFilm – 8/10

While the film intentionally avoids replicating the video game’s storyline, it effectively integrates the game’s underlying premise of questioning whether an individual could survive a horror narrative. “Until Dawn” subtly engages its audience with these inquiries throughout, and with a diverse array of creatures to confront, responses will vary per individual. The film’s diversity complements this concept, ensuring it never loses momentum as it develops its unique framework. To paraphrase Bobby, “Until Dawn” genuinely embodies the quintessential essence of a horror hit.

Paste Magazine – 61/100

For perhaps half of its 103-minute duration, Until Dawn thrives on its variety of frights and unexpected humor. However, when Clover and her crew begin to piece together the mystery, it transforms into a lackluster rendition of what could have been an exciting game adaptation—akin to Silent Hill, yet not as dreary. While the dangers presented are clearly crafted with a love for horror, the characters do not evolve into genre-savvy experts; the film fails to escalate and ultimately falls flat. Despite being based on a recent and acclaimed game, the movie resembles more of an arcade experience: you invest some time but don’t receive substantial engagement or payoff.

The Guardian – 6/10

Until Dawn is well-crafted and entirely harmless, which, in a year rife with disappointing horror projects like The Monkey, Opus, The Gorge, Heart Eyes, and Wolf Man, is about all one can hope for. It is connected by Sandberg, who has honed the craft of proficient studio horror with slick, yet forgettable films such as Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation; he demonstrates once again his ability as an efficient filmmaker, let down by a script lacking in strength. For a movie focused on repetitive themes, a single viewing is ample.

IGN – 5/10

Until Dawn shares its name and several core elements with the video game that inspired it, yet predominantly strives to forge its own path—yielding mixed outcomes. While director David F. Sandberg finds moments of visceral excitement and suspense—especially in his portrayal of darkness—the uninspiring script hinders the overall experience for both him and the film. It is not entirely disastrous; however, as it pushes its one-dimensional cast through familiar horror tropes, I found myself wishing for morning to arrive swiftly.

The New York Times – 4/10

Director David F. Sandberg (“Annabelle: Creation”) tirelessly moves through a script created by Gary Dauberman and Blair Butler, which is weighed down by lackluster monsters, complex time loops, and underdeveloped characters reminiscent of a lesser “Goosebumps” episode.

The A.V. Club – 33/100

Horror, whether through gaming or cinema, relies on setup and payoff. Until Dawn is predominantly a series of setups, with payoffs either mismatched or indefinitely postponed. In its indecision regarding the type of film it aspired to create from a choice-driven game, it haphazardly fires in multiple directions, resulting in a disjointed experience.