Horror fans and gamers, brace yourselves! The horror darling video game Until Dawn is making its way to the silver screen. Sony Pictures, in collaboration with PlayStation Productions, is set to bring this interactive nightmare to life, promising a cinematic experience rivalling the video game.

Released in 2015 by Supermassive Games, Until Dawn quickly grew a cult following with many horror enthusiasts praising the title for its unique take on the genre. So much so, the game spawned off its very own universe. The unique selling point was its interactive nature, where player choices directly influence the storyline and the eventual fate of the characters – resulting in some unique replayability.

Set on a remote mountain, the plot revolves around a group of friends who reunite a year after two members of their group mysteriously ‘disappeared’. The eerie setting, combined with supernatural occurrences, made for a spine-chilling experience that resonated with horror players worldwide. It also included quite a prolific cast of young up-and-coming actors, with their likeness expertly captured for the title. I, for one, was completely enamoured by the game – it was like watching a horror based television series. Although I did not play it directly (way too much of a scaredy cat for a hands-on) I did watch a relative play it from start to finish in one all-nighter. The experience was incredibly memorable, especially all of the pillow clutching.

In terms of the adaptation, the Until Dawn movie is being helmed by David F. Sandberg, known for his work on horror hits like Lights Out (2016) and Annabelle: Creation (2017) – and even the likes of Shazam (2019). The screenplay is apparently penned by Gary Dauberman, with a previous draft by Blair Butler, which should ensure the film stays true to its horror roots.

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Image courtesy IMDB [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10955564/]
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Weirdly, the Until Dawn movie will feature a completely new cast of actors. Instead of bringing back prolific talents such as Peter Stormare, Rami Malek, Brett Dalton or Hayden Panettiere; it appears as if Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions want a ‘clean slate’ for the retelling of the already cinematic game. As such, the all new cast includes rising stars such as Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, Ji-young Yoo, and Odessa A’zion. While their specific roles have not been disclosed, their involvement promises a fresh take on the beloved game.

Adapting a video game into a different form of media is no small feat, especially for the Until Dawn movie. The game’s butterfly effect narrative, where every decision impacts the outcome, presents a unique challenge for filmmakers. In this sense, perhaps a series in the vein of what Microsoft tried to do with Quantum Break (2016) might serve the concept better? Nevertheless, with the current director and writers at the helm, there is hope the film will capture the essence of the game while delivering a compelling cinematic experience.

[Source: Deadline]

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Owner, founder and editor-in-chief at Vamers, Hans has a vested interest in geek culture and the interactive entertainment industry. With a Masters degree in Communications and Ludology, he is well read and versed in matters relating to video games and communication media, among many other topics of interest.