Until Dawn Trailer Teaser Reveals How Video Game Horror Movie Will Incorporate Key Game Mechanic

The latest Until Dawn trailer has been revealed, and it addresses a key aspect of the film. Until Dawn was originally an interactive horror video game released in 2015. In January 2024, a movie adaptation of the popular video game was announced. This adaptation will be directed by David F. Sandberg and co-written by Blair Butler and Gary Dauberman. The Until Dawn movie features a leading cast including Peter Stormare, Odessa A’zion, Maia Mitchell, Michael Cimino, Ella Rubin, Belmont Cameli, Ji-young Yoo, and Willem van der Vegt.

Now, Sony Pictures Entertainment has revealed a teaser trailer for Until Dawn. The teaser begins with Dauberman explaining more about the process of bringing the adaptation to the screen without replicating the game experience exactly. Sandberg adds that the movie has the same “tone” but “expands upon the universe.” Interspersed between commentary from the cast and crew are snippets of the film, including missing person posters and more. Sandberg also addresses how the Until Dawn movie will deal with the element of choice, noting that “the movie has this mechanic where things start over and they get to try again.”

What This Means For Until Dawn

The Genre Changes Are Intriguing

Sandberg added that “every time they come back to life, it is like they are in a new horror genre.” Like the game itself, the characters will have to survive until dawn to make it out. While the trailer does not reveal exactly what subgenres the characters will appear in, the potential tone-switching provides intrigue about the plot of Until Dawn. There are a plethora of horror genres out there — from slasher to psychological — giving a world of possibility for this video game adaptation.

As Sandberg references, one of the most iconic mechanics of the Until Dawn game was the ability to make choices. These choices have a significant impact on the game, changing the plot and who dies. Though shows like Black Mirror have toyed with the choose-your-own-adventure style before, this is not as possible for a theatrical release. Doing these kinds of restarts could be a way to honor the game’s multiple-death element while still adapting to a cinematic format.

Our Take On The Until Dawn Teaser Trailer

Until Dawn Is Promising


Until Dawn Peter Stormare wearing a hat, looking concerned in low lighting

While the movie’s execution of this concept remains to be seen, it seems like the Until Dawn team’s heart is in the right place when it comes to adapting the video game for the screen. Everyone featured in this trailer seems to have a deep appreciation for the source content, which is a good sign already for the film. Hopefully, this pᴀssion can combine with a creative vision to create a quality video game adaptation in a landscape where said films are increasingly popular but variable in quality.

Source: Sony Pictures Entertainment

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