Movies

How ‘Until Dawn’ Fails to Match the Legendary Impact of ‘The Last of Us’

BBG News

Worldwide fans of gaming and horror have been eagerly waiting, but last week, the movie adaptation of “Until Dawn” was finally unveiled. Although it shares its title with the 2015 game by PlayStation Studios, the film tells an entirely new story while keeping within the same universe as the game. With a moderate level of success so far, we’ll have to wait for box office figures to determine the full extent of its success. In terms of quality as a movie, how would you rate it?

To put it simply, the movie isn’t exactly exceptional but still has its merits. It doesn’t disappoint as a horror film with an engaging premise and some thrilling elements for fans of the genre. However, when considering gaming adaptations, there have been more misses than hits in the past. Considering this history, you might expect a well-made film like “Until Dawn” to be a big hit, especially among gamers.

It appears the audience may be responding differently because there’s another game involved, one not related to the Until Dawn franchise. This game is The Last of Us. Here’s a possible explanation as to why Until Dawn might struggle to replicate its success:

It seems that the audience may perceive them differently due to another title – one unrelated to the Until Dawn series. That title is The Last of Us, and it appears that Until Dawn may find it challenging to emulate its achievements for a few reasons.

‘The Last of Us’ Set Impossibly High Standards

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The issue with “The Last of Us” is that it’s just too exceptional. Not only did it redefine the bar for all future video game adaptations, but it also established standards that are almost unattainable. From its inception, “The Last of Us” was a groundbreaking franchise. As a gaming concept, it showcased the incredible potential of Naughty Dog Studios as they continued to evolve. From the start, the idea aimed to push boundaries and think outside the box.

Essentially, this game was marketed as a blend of zombie, sci-fi, and horror genres at its heart. Yet, rather than following conventional paths, the way it brought this concept to life was remarkably unique. The game’s primary creator, Neil Druckmann, envisioned a tale in which a real-world fungus had developed the ability to control human brains, transforming them into living vessels for the fungi to reproduce. Interestingly, such behavior is observed in fungi when infecting insects in nature.

What truly set it apart was the careful creativity and self-restraint demonstrated by Druckmann and his team. They opted against making zombies the main focus of the narrative. Instead, they crafted a deeply human tale that provided insights into human behavior, delving into profound themes such as loss, survival, and existentialism.

In Comparison, ‘Until Dawn’ Is Lacking the Secret Sauce

Not only was The Last of Us exceptionally well-crafted as both a video game and a television series, but it surpassed the boundaries of these mediums. Its emotional intensity rivals Shakespearean tragedy, demonstrating an extraordinary depth. This production possesses a unique quality that is not frequently seen in films or games – a level of genius that could be described as almost unparalleled in its brilliance, a rarity that might only occur once in a generation.

In essence, Until Dawn doesn’t possess any extraordinary qualities that allow it to compete on the same level, not even in the same category. Instead, it offers traditional entertainment, the kind of excitement that offers temporary and transient pleasure, but never the sort that leaves a profound and lasting impact. For those who aren’t avid gamers, it might seem appealing due to its gripping death scenes, an interesting time loop concept, and perhaps enough special effects to discuss with friends for a brief period following playtime.

After leaving the theater, the movie will start fading away in your memory, categorized alongside other decent horror films you’ve watched. If you’re a gamer, there might be some additional excitement, perhaps even some lively discussions with your online community, but ultimately, Until Dawn is just another film that provided a good night out, but it’s unlikely to be something that will ever be recognized in any high-profile award ceremonies.

That Doesn’t Make ‘Until Dawn’ a Failure

Viewers who are fans of horror should definitely consider watching the film, despite some criticisms about its derivativeness. After all, it boasts a wealth of chills, an intriguing premise, and is penned by Gary Dauberman, a writer well-known for his significant contributions to the Conjuring universe, including Annabelle and The Nun. While it may lean towards familiar territory at times, its concept still manages to provide a fresh feel with unique twists.

To put it another way, the story follows a girl named Clover (Ellie Rubin) as she sets off with a group of companions to explore a secluded valley. Their destination turns out to be a chilling visitor center, where Clover’s missing sister had been before. Upon arrival, they are confronted by various grotesque and frightening creatures, as well as demonic beings, which persistently chase and kill them one after the other.

Nevertheless, they find themselves trapped within a recurring sequence of events, needing to discover fresh leads each night to endure the assaults till morning and escape this predicament. The intriguing possibility it presented was promising. However, as Brian Tallerico, from Roger Ebert, points out, that promise remained largely unfulfilled.

In the initial plans for the movie, “Until Dawn” was intended to change its style with every passing hour, transforming into various types of horror films such as a slasher, possession, found footage, or even a Lynchian nightmare. However, if Gary Dauberman and Blair Butler’s script ever intended this, it didn’t seem to come to fruition in David F. Sandberg’s final production.

The outcome presents sequences similar to when one reaches Blackwood Mountain, where the scenery is heavy with ambiance, yet unfortunately, it offers nothing truly novel or terrifying for seasoned horror enthusiasts. Nevertheless, it could be enjoyable due to its entertaining nature and serves as an excellent choice for a fun night out with friends. However, if you’re more into movies and series of the caliber of The Last of Us, you won’t find this one measuring up. Until Dawn is now playing in cinemas worldwide.

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2025-05-03 23:07

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