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Until Dawn, the film adaptation of the popular horror-themed PlayStation Studios video game, has made its debut in theaters. The initial reactions from film critics provide a glimpse into how the movie has been received.
Directed by David F. Sandberg, known for his work on Shazam! and Annabelle: Creation, the screenplay is penned by Blair Butler and Gary Dauberman. The film had its previews on Thursday and officially opens to the public on Friday.
The synopsis of Until Dawn reveals a chilling plot: One year after the mysterious disappearance of her sister Melanie, Clover (portrayed by Ella Rubin) ventures into the remote valley with her friends to uncover the truth. Their exploration leads them to an abandoned visitor center, but soon they become the targets of a masked killer, facing horrific deaths only to mysteriously return to the beginning of the same night.
As they find themselves trapped in a time loop, the group realizes that each confrontation with the killer becomes increasingly perilous. With limited lives to spare, they must survive until dawn to escape the relentless horror.
Rated R, the film also features performances by Michael Cimino, Odessa A’zion, Ji-young Yoo, Belmont Cameli, Maia Mitchell, and Peter Stormare. Currently, Until Dawn holds a 58% “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 26 reviews, with the overall critics consensus pending.
Critics Weigh In on ‘Until Dawn’
Among those providing insights is William Bibbiani, a prominent voice on Rotten Tomatoes. He gives the film a “fresh” review in The Wrap, commenting that while the film may be enjoyable for fans seeking scares, it doesn’t stand out significantly among horror offerings.
Similarly, Alison Foreman of IndieWire expresses mixed feelings about the adaptation, awarding it a “fresh” rating. Foreman suggests that while Until Dawn attempts to blend horror and comedy, it may ultimately work better when viewed as a playful parody rather than a straightforward adaptation.
Benjamin Lee from The Guardian also offers a “fresh” review, stating that while the film may lack in sheer terror, it holds together as a moderate horror film, buoyed by a talented cast.
Conversely, Eric Piepenburg from The New York Times presents a different perspective, describing the film as dull, comparing it unfavorably to the experience of watching someone else play a video game without any engagement. This sentiment of boredom is echoed by Jacob Oller from AV Club, who criticizes the film for its reliance on clichés within its time-loop narrative.
Nick Schager from The Daily Beast further detracts from the film’s quality, arguing that it fails to establish internal logic and relies on worn-out tropes instead of delivering genuine horror.
As the film rolls out nationwide, its reception highlights a divide among critics, suggesting that while some might find entertainment in its scares and performances, others lament the lack of originality and depth in its story.
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www.forbes.com