The Horror Slasher Sees No Light of Dawn for Itself

RATING – ⭐ ⭐✨ 2.5/5*

Untill Dawn Review Movie Talkies:

For someone who has directed Lights Out (2016) and Annabelle: Creation (2017), Until Dawn feels like a daily soap opera. The film employs the time loop concept, much like many others before it—most notably Happy Death Day—but fails to offer anything remotely fresh or enjoyable. It has its share of brutal moments and unbearable slashing scenes, but even those have a limit to how cruel they can get. Despite the tedious plot, Until Dawn carries enough entertainment value to keep you awake for one and a half hours, though expecting anything more than that would be a mistake.

Until Dawn Story:

Clover (Ella Rubin) and her four friends, Max (Michael Cimino), Nina (Odessa A’zion), Megan (Ji-young Yoo), and Abe (Belmont Cameli), set out for the place where Clover’s sister, Melanie (Maia Mitchell), mysteriously disappeared a year ago. A shop owner informs Clover about a remote valley where many people have vanished, and Clover and her gang venture into the haunted territory. That night, they are attacked and brutally murdered, only to awaken and realize they are trapped in a nightmarish time loop that resets with each death. Determined to break free, the group sticks together in hopes of escaping, but beating so many supernatural forces won’t be an easy task.

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At its core, this is a dated horror drama. However, the brutal killings bring something relatively new to the table. Drinking the water causes their bodies to explode into pieces—a horrific twist that plays a crucial role in the climax. Some of the slashing scenes are extremely cruel and gory, nearing a full-blown bloodbath. The haunted setting of the remote house, the eerie cellar where much of the horror unfolds, and the overall dark-night ambiance contribute to the atmosphere. Nevertheless, the film struggles with a screenplay that, while engaging at moments, feels mostly outdated. It’s not just the recycled premise but also the repetitive elements that eventually spoil the experience.

Until Dawn cast:

Ella Rubin delivers a solid performance in the lead role, though it feels like something is missing from the character itself, making her portrayal less impactful than intended. Michael Cimino is decent, Odessa A’zion is sizzling as Nina, Ji-young Yoo stands out as the most memorable among them, and Belmont Cameli does an okay job. Maia Mitchell barely registers on screen, though her wendigo form is quite horrifying. Peter Stormare, on the other hand, fails to appear as brutal as he should have. Overall, it’s a fairly decent cast, but one that clearly lacks experience.

Until Dawn Movie Review:

Unlike Lights Out, which showcased stunning cinematography and an intense background score, Until Dawn is far too average. Its framework feels corny, and the screams we hear are anything but terrifying. The sound design succeeds at times, and the production design is passable. David F. Sandberg relies on a conventional horror template to craft a very conventional horror flick, despite being capable of much better, which is disappointing. Horror as a genre has evolved over time, and the sooner filmmakers realize this, the better it will be—for them and for us. As a whole, Until Dawn keeps itself locked in the darkness and never sees the light of dawn, though a few scenes might still be worth your time.

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