(Updated 01/14/2025)
The relationship between movies and video games has grown closer as technology and game design bridge the gap between game and movie storytelling. "Until Dawn," released for the PlayStation 4 in 2015 and recently remade for the PlayStation 5, is very firmly in the "narrative experience" column as far as games go. It's not about action, but about making choices for characters — which would make it seem like an obvious choice to adapt to a movie.
But the game is not so straightforward. With players constantly making choices throughout the story, there is no one central ending. And there is no single predictable fate for any given character. Now, the UNTIL DAWN movie is on the way, and the filmmakers are making their own bold choices. We've got the first footage below, and an explanation of how this movie takes a unique path to adapting the game. Here's everything we know about UNTIL DAWN.
What's the Until Dawn Release Date?
Sony Pictures and Screen Gems will release UNTIL DAWN in movie theaters on April 25, 2025.
Watch the First Footage From Until Dawn
While there is no trailer for UNTIL DAWN right now, the studio has released a first-look video that does feature a lot of movie footage. It also has the writer and director explaining how they have chosen to adapt the game — and it's a pretty unusual path!
What Is the Plot of Until Dawn?
It seems like the UNTIL DAWN movie does not follow the story of the game — rather, it builds up similar characters and explores a video game-inspired storytelling approach. In game form, UNTIL DAWN follows eight people trying to survive a night on Blackwood Mountain. They're all on the mountain for a slightly bizarre memorial/reunion following the deaths of two friends, twin sisters, at a similar party on the mountain a year earlier.
In the game, which is more of an interactive narrative than a traditional action or survival horror title, players make choices that affect how events of the night unfold. Every character involved can live, and all can die, with virtually every combination in between as a possibility as well. The game has hundreds of possible endings.
The UNTIL DAWN movie retains the idea that characters make choices that might lead to their death at any time. In the movie, says director David F. Sandberg, there's "this mechanic where things start over, and they get to try again. Every time they come back to life, it's like they're in a new horror genre. To survive, they have to make it until dawn."
So UNTIL DAWN seems to play with structure in a way similar to movies like HAPPY DEATH DAY and EDGE OF TOMORROW, with the added bonus of using a lot of different horror structures.
Will Rami Malek Be in the Until Dawn Movie?
The game featured Rami Malek as Josh Washington, the brother of the twin sisters whose deaths precipitate the reunion a year later. He's a pivotal character in the game, and even got a new ending in the game remake released in late 2024.
Right now we don't believe that Malek is in the movie. In fact, it seems like his character Josh is also not in the movie.
Hayden Panettiere also played a key role in the game, but she is not expected to return for the movie, either.
Does the Until Dawn Movie Feature the Same Characters as the Game?
Good question! it appears that UNTIL DAWN follows characters unique to the movie.
The movie's Wikipedia article lists characters that are not from the game, but without any attribution for that info. Since unverified rumors are the source of the character lineup, we'll wait for the trailer or other official word.
The only character verified as a returning character from the game is the psychiatrist Dr. Alan J. Hill. In the game, he was played by Peter Stormare, who returns to the role for the movie.
Who's in the Cast of Until Dawn?
Right now, in addition to Stormare, the confirmed cast of UNTIL DAWN includes Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, Ji-young Yoo, Odessa A'zion, Maia Mitchell, and Belmont Cameli.
Until Dawn Is From the Lights Out Filmmaker
Swedish filmmaker David F. Sandberg, who rose to fame thanks to his 2016 horror movie LIGHTS OUT, is directing UNTIL DAWN. This marks his return to horror following time in the DCEU, where he made the two SHAZAM movies.
UNTIL DAWN opens on April 25.
All images courtesy of Sony Computer Entertainment.