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The film adaptation of Until Dawn features some of the most shocking deaths seen in cinema this year, with one particular gruesome scene that left studio executives stunned.
For fans of the original PlayStation game, this level of brutality may not come as a surprise. The game is notorious for its intense and stomach-churning moments, characterized by dramatic violence, including head-twisting wendigos, eye-gouging incidents, and gruesome jaw removals.
Directed by David F. Sandberg, known for projects like *Lights Out* and the *Shazam* films, the horror movie takes a slightly different direction. It centers around a group of friends trapped in a house within a desolate valley, ensnared in a terrifying time loop that requires them to survive until dawn to escape.
Despite this narrative shift, the film retains the intense violence of its source material, with many characters meeting horrific ends. Among the various fatalities, one particular scene caught the studio completely off guard.
The Shocking Sledgehammer Scene in Until Dawn
Sandberg was clear from the onset that the film would carry an R-rating. He expressed, “It was crucial for us to embrace the violent and gory nature of the game. We couldn’t settle for a lesser rating; it had to reflect the original.”
Initially, the studio requested a toned-down version of some scenes for potential prudence. “I was concerned at first because the studio asked if we could shoot these scenes in a less gory version. I wondered, ‘Why is that necessary?’” Sandberg recounted.
Fortunately for the final product, the production schedule did not allow for a diluted version, compelling the team to fully embrace the gory aspects. Sandberg noted that, ultimately, the studio was pleased with the decisions made.
The scene that particularly surprised studio executives involved a character meeting their end through a brutal sledgehammer strike. The effects were achieved through a blend of practical and visual effects techniques. “For a long period, we utilized a dummy for the sledgehammer scene, but the head didn’t break as intended, so we later added blue screen elements to effectively depict the crushing impact,” Sandberg explained.
When Sandberg shared the final cut with studio executives, they were unprepared for what they saw. “Their reaction was priceless—an audible gasp. I thought, ‘Oh no, are they going to ask me to cut this scene?’ But to my relief, they didn’t. They were on board after all,” he reflected.
*Until Dawn* will be released in theaters on April 25. For further insights into the film, including an analysis of the ending and post-credits scene, as well as a compilation of the best video game adaptations and horror films, readers can explore related content on the platform. Additionally, information on upcoming releases can be found within the 2025 movie calendar.
Source
www.dexerto.com