«Best horror movie of 2025»: Until Dawn film adaptation impresses first viewers

After the private screenings of Until Dawn, a movie based on a video game, critics shared their first impressions. And they are almost unanimously enthusiastic.

The film was named one of the main contenders for the title of «horror movie of the year». And some viewers — «a meta-explosion of horror», which is better to watch in a full theater.

For those who are not familiar with the game’s plot, here is a brief summary. Until Dawn tells the story of a group of young people who have come to a cabin in the woods where their friend disappeared a year ago. Very quickly, the trip turns into a struggle for survival. In the film adaptation, the characters wake up every time they are killed. However, if they die many times, their lives will end completely.

Critics say that the film actively reimagines the game while preserving its spirit:

• «Until Dawn movie is one of the most delightfully ingenious horror films of the year, doubling as a love letter to the genre. It slays all day, or rather, all night long. Thrills & kills galore» — Courtney Howard of Variety.
• «My surprise Horror film of the year. [The filmmakers have taken the game and turned it into] a gloriously bloody and gory film full of combustible scenes and funny moments. The deaths are fresh, and the cast have incredible chemistry. This film is so much fun» — Junior Felix from The Hashtag Show.
• «If you’re open to it deviating from the game, you’re in for a great time with Until Dawn. Premise is super fun, with a likeable ensemble cast and tons of surprises, gags, and gnarly gore. Feels like a 2000s horror movie in the best way. I didn’t want it to end», — Amy West from GamesRadar+.
• «So, Until Dawn is undeniably the MOST horror film of the year. Chock full o’ creatures, beasties, creepy production design & an ensemble of game actors, the movie ingeniously capitalizes on the premise’s promise, & it’s a meta horror blast. You wanna see it with an audience», — journalist from Polygon.
• «I had a BLAST. It plays a little fast and loose with the lore, but so much care is paid to the scares and kills, keeping them fresh and novel. Strong cast performances, slightly nostalgic “teens in trouble” vibes», — journalist and critic Jeff Ewing.

Until Dawn will be released in theaters on April 25. In the meantime, you can watch the second a trailer for a movie in which endless murders take place. Sony has mixed several types of horror in the two Until Dawn trailers. For example, in the first trailer the viewer was shown more dialogues between characters, locations, etc.

Source: Games Radar