Until Dawn (15) |Close-Up Film Review

As a devoted fan of horror, I’ve got a soft spot for stories that trap characters in isolated places and slowly dial up the fear. Whether it’s the supernatural, slasher killers or the psychological unravelling of a group under pressure, I’m always intrigued when a horror film blends familiar tropes with something a little different. Until Dawn, adapted from the cult-favourite video game, looked like it might just deliver that. But while it offers a solid entry into the genre, it doesn’t quite reach the peak it’s aiming for.

The story takes place in a secluded, snowbound mountain lodge—a classic horror setting that immediately evokes the icy dread of The Shining and the brutal survivalism of The Thing. A year after a tragic event led to the disappearance of two friends, a group of young adults reunite at the same lodge for a weekend getaway. What begins as a memorial quickly spirals into chaos as they find themselves stalked by an unseen threat. With the snowstorm cutting them off from the outside world, each character must confront their guilt, fear, and secrets—all while trying to survive until dawn.

There’s a lot to appreciate here. The film effectively builds tension through atmosphere: the creaking floorboards, flickering lights, and howling wind all contribute to a sense of unease. Director Sandberg clearly understands the importance of mood in horror and uses the confined space well. There are some brutal, inventive kill scenes that will satisfy gorehounds, and horror fans will enjoy the film’s winks to classic genre conventions.

However the film struggles with pacing. The first half relies too heavily on exposition and forced dialogue, and some of the performances lack conviction. While the final act ramps up the stakes and delivers on the fear, the journey there is uneven. The characters—though familiar archetypes—don’t always feel fully fleshed out, making it harder to care about their fates.

Additionally, the film tries to juggle multiple horror elements: slasher, supernatural, and psychological, without fully committing to any one direction. This creates a tonal inconsistency. What made the original video game so compelling was its interactivity and emotional investment in the choices you made—elements that are difficult to translate to a passive viewing experience. Without that sense of agency, some moments feel less impactful than they should.

That said, Until Dawn isn’t without its merits. It’s a visually slick production, the wintry setting adds a nice twist to the typical cabin-in-the-woods formula and the final reveals offer enough intrigue to justify the ride. For those unfamiliar with the game, it’s accessible and entertaining, while fans will enjoy picking out familiar beats and nods to the source material.  It doesn’t redefine the horror genre, but it does deliver a chilling escape for a Friday night watch. It’s flawed, yes—but still manages to carve out some eerie moments that stick with you.

A visually strong but narratively uneven horror outing, Until Dawn brings a blizzard of tension, some inventive scares, and just enough mystery to keep horror lovers hooked—though it never quite reaches the heights of the game that inspired it.