Until Dawn, Sony’s thrilling adaptation of the 2015 interactive horror game by Supermassive Games, hits theaters today! This project presented an intriguing challenge for director David F. Sandberg, who stated it was a more complex undertaking than his prior films, including Shazam and its sequel.
In a conversation with the Hollywood Reporter, Sandberg expressed his enthusiasm for returning to the horror genre, especially after wrapping up Shazam! Fury of the Gods. He shared details on the production struggles that plagued the film, including last-minute rewrites for a mid-credit scene, which required him to direct Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman cameo via remote. He hadn’t anticipated that the cameo would feature prominently in the marketing.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding the Shazam films during the leadership change at DC Studios, combined with Sandberg’s absence from the premiere due to COVID-19, he described this phase as stressful but relieved to move on to a new venture.
Despite those challenges, Sandberg revealed that creating Until Dawn was even more demanding than the Shazam films. “Until Dawn was a more complicated movie than any of the Shazam! movies. It was very hard to make this movie, and it was a very ambitious project given the resources we had,” he told THR. “I was so eager to dive back into horror, fulfilling a childhood dream of bringing R-rated kills, special effects, and monsters to the screen. It was a challenge, but one I welcomed.”
Fans familiar with the horror game might notice that Sandberg’s adaptation diverges significantly from the source material, which originally features unsuspecting teens entangled in eerie totems and a terrifying Wendigo. Alongside producer and writer Gary Dauberman, famed for his work in The Conjuring universe, Sandberg aimed to elevate the film’s narrative to create distinctive experiences while maintaining elements that resonate with fans.
“After Shazam 2, I felt a strong desire to return to horror. Gary reached out, mentioning he had a script based on Until Dawn, co-written with Blair Butler,” Sandberg recounted. “I was thrilled that it encompassed multiple horror genres—slasher, supernatural, body horror, and found footage—allowing me to explore everything in one project.”
He added, “I appreciated that they did not attempt to replicate the game, as it was already incredibly cinematic. Our goal was to expand upon the universe established by the game rather than create a direct comparison.”
While reviews for Until Dawn remain mixed, with current scores sitting at 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences soon can decide whether Sandberg and Dauberman successfully translated the interactive horror experience to the big screen, as the film is now available in theaters.
What makes Until Dawn a unique experience in the horror genre? The combination of its multi-faceted genre approach makes it distinctive, blending elements from various classic horror tropes to create an engaging narrative.
Did the film stay true to the original game’s themes? Although it took creative liberties, the film aims to honor the game by incorporating familiar horror elements while exploring new territory.
How has the audience reacted to Until Dawn? With a polarized reception, many fans are eager to see if the film delivers a fresh horror experience or if it veers too far from the original game’s premise.
As you journey into the world of horror adaptations, don’t miss the chance to explore movies that shape the genre. Dive into more engaging content and insights at Moyens I/O.