The announcement that theUntil Dawnmovie would not be a direct adaptation of the video game’s plot has divided the game’s legion of fans for months. While some were excited to see something new, especially since the game was very close to a movie-like experience already, many fans were disappointed that it might be an “in name only” adaptation. However, directorDavid F. Sandbergpromised that not only would there be plenty of Easter eggs and direct references to the original game, but it would also be set in the same universe instead of being an entirely new story. The fact thatPeter Stormarewould be reprising his role gave reluctant fans even more hope that the movie would do some justice to the popular choose-your-own-adventure-style game. But now that the movie is finally here,did Sandberg deliver on his promise?We’ve got the details on all the connections between the expandingUntil Dawnuniverse below.
The ‘Until Dawn’ Movie Is a “Sequel” to the Original Video Game (Kind of)
For those unfamiliar with the video game,Until Dawnwas originally about a group of college friends reuniting after the twin sisters of one member of the group, Josh (Rami Malek), disappeared a year earlier. Josh is deeply affected by what happened to his sisters and receives therapy from Dr. Hill (Stormare) before inviting his friends back to the mansion where the girls disappearedfor a “killer” party weekend, apparentlyin an attempt to clear out the bad memories. The already-awkward trip turns into a fight for their lives as a masked killer starts to hunt them down one by one. But in aBarbarian-like twist, the masked killer isn’t what he seems, andthe friends suddenly find themselves facing off against an even deadlier threatin the form of a supernatural creature called a wendigo.
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Fans ofUntil Dawnpraised the game’s horror elements, immersive gameplay, and “butterfly effect” system where each decision could affect the outcome of the story. It also boasted a strong cast, withHayden Panettiereplaying a leading role alongside Malek and Stormare. However, except for Stormare,none of the original actors reprise their roles in theUntil Dawnmovie, and the plot is an original storyline instead of a direct adaptation. Director Sandberg, however, assured fans that his movie was not just a reinterpretation of the game but set directly in the same universe. “You could say it’s a sequel,“he said in a Reddit AMA, “butit’s a sequel you don’t have to have played the game to enjoy.“The movie doesn’t continue the story of Josh or his friends, but it does reference them and expands upon who exactly Dr. Hill really is.
‘Until Dawn’ Includes Several Easter Eggs from the Original Video Game
Okay, technically, someone from the game besides Peter Stormare does make an appearance in theUntil Dawnmovie,but not in the way you’d expect. If you really don’t want spoilers, skip the next few sentences. During a conversation between Ella Rubin’s Clover and Dr. Hill, a few patient files can be seen on his desk, one of which is for Josh Washington, Rami Malek’s character from the game. There’s even a photo of Malek himself,confirming that the movie shares the same universe as the video game. Fans might appreciate such a direct nod to the game, especially since it’s one of the only significant ones, with most of the others being far more subtle (besides the masked killer and the wendigos, which were also shown prominently in the trailers). Part of the game’s supernatural elements revolves around a mining accident years before the current story;the wendigos in the movie version are also tied to a very similar mining incident.
There’s also a recreation of a significant “don’t move” sequence from the game that’s pretty fun, as well as a gas station called “Hartley’s,” named after one of the game’s characters. Dr. Hill’s office is recreated, or at least paid homage to, and the hourglass/skull motif from the game’s cover (although not part of the game itself) is used to indicatethe time loop aspect of the movie. Then there’s a scene towards the end of the film that features a prop that is possibly the most faithful recreation from the game…while also having very little significance to the plot of either the game or the movie.Ji-young Yoo’scharacter ends up strapped into a heavy wooden chair that,according to Sandberg, this is “an exact replica”of one seen in the game used to show what happened to the miners after the accident.
Finally, a snowy lodge that looks vaguely like the setting of the original game appears at the end of the movie, but without any explicit explanation, the shot really only muddles the timeline of where Sandberg’s expansion of theUntil Dawnuniverse takes place,something the director has called out himself. Ultimately, there is at least some attempt to bridge the gap between the movie and the game, but probably not enough to satisfy the hardcore fans of the game.
Until Dawnis now playing in theaters.
Until Dawn
