Tag: Until Dawn

Sony made the leap to cinema with this adaptation of a peculiar horror video game that is now coming to streaming services

Sony is increasingly betting on synergies. It’s no secret. Its two main battlefields right now are anime and video games, and its idea is to exploit them as intimately as possible, especially after seeing how well its major video game IPs can perform when brought to the big screen. Something it has only done so far with live-action movies. Because all of Sony’s big video game movies have been successful. Perhaps not among critics and certainly not among fans of these IPs, but they have managed to work in what […]

Sony is increasingly betting on synergies. It’s no secret. Its two major battlefields right now are anime and video games, and its idea is to exploit them as closely as possible, especially after seeing how well its major video game IPs can perform when brought to the big screen. Something it has only done so far with live-action films.

Because all the movies based on Sony’s major video games have been successful. Perhaps not among critics and certainly not among fans of these IPs, but they have managed to perform in what matters most to executives: making good box office numbers. This is also true for their latest approach, which, while not the best movie of 2025, is quite better than its also recent remake. We are talking about the film adaptation of Until Dawn.

A movie that has successfully adapted the video game

Adapting the 2015 video game by Supermassive Games, the original already had everything to be a movie. After all, Until Dawn put us in the shoes of eight young adults who went on vacation to the Blackwood Mountains where, due to various circumstances, they found themselves being pursued by a serial killer. Closely following the premises of slasher horror films, the game made us make decisions that ultimately led to the survival or death of our characters, in a butterfly effect that changed the game based on what we decided to do at any given moment.

While its non-linear format and the possibility that several, all, or none of the characters survive do not fit well with cinema, the fact that it is heavily inspired by horror films from the 70s and 80s does. This is something that can be seen in the movie.

Directed by David F. Sandberg, the director of the two Shazam movies and Annabelle: Creation, the film starts from the same premise as the original video game, with a twist to justify everything that happens in it. We won’t reveal it here, as we want to avoid spoilers, but it is a very clever way to justify the constant loops of the original game and explains everything that happens up to this point in the movie, giving it a very unique style and a somewhat different feel compared to other contemporary horror films.

Costing only 15 million dollars, the movie was a fairly modest success. Grossing 54 million at the box office, the film performed especially well in the United States and Canada, demonstrating that it remains the main territory for this type of films.

Unfortunately for Sony, the movie was a bit of a disaster in terms of critical reception and public opinion. With a 52% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 47 on Metacritic, the movie is rated worse than well. And considering it received a C+ on CinemaScore on a scale from A+ to F and a 63% positive rating on PostTrak from the audience, it doesn’t seem like a movie that will receive approval for a sequel. Even if, for a part of the audience that includes us, it is an enjoyable movie under the right conditions: a silly afternoon with plenty of popcorn and a good soda.

Moreover, it’s easy for you to get it. Now more than ever. The movie is now available to watch on Movistar Plus+ and to rent on AppleTV, making it easier than ever to watch it on a lazy afternoon. And if you do it knowing what you’re in for, it could very well be a good afternoon.

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The creators of Until Dawn have delayed their new game until 2026 and announced massive layoffs

Supermassive Games, known for titles like Until Dawn and Little Nightmares, is facing tough times as it will announce the layoff of 36 employees before the release of its next game, Directive 8020. This situation comes alongside the news that the game’s release has been delayed until the first half of 2026, which could affect the studio’s future trajectory. Layoffs and delays are a bad sign for the health of the studio. The layoff announcement was communicated through a post on the Twitter platform, where the company used language that has generated criticism […]

Supermassive Games, known for titles like Until Dawn and Little Nightmares, is facing tough times as it will announce the layoff of 36 employees ahead of the release of its upcoming game, Directive 8020. This situation comes alongside the news that the game’s release has been delayed until the first half of 2026, which could impact the studio’s future trajectory.

Delays and layoffs are a bad sign for the health of the studio

The announcement of layoffs was communicated through a post on the Twitter platform, where the company used language that has generated criticism for minimizing the impact of this decision. They indicate that “the video game industry remains a challenging and constantly evolving environment,” thus justifying the need to initiate a consultation process for redundancies. However, the choice of words such as “we anticipate losing” employees has been considered an attempt to soften a difficult message. Some experts suggest that this form of communication could be influenced by UK labor laws, which require at least 30 days’ notice before carrying out mass layoffs.

This is not the first round of layoffs at Supermassive, as in February 2024 a round of layoffs took place following the resignation of its founders, who led the company for 16 years. On that occasion, the company used similar language to address the market difficulties and the restructuring of the team.

The current situation underscores a growing pattern in the video game industry, where many studios face structural and economic challenges, resulting in recurring layoffs and changes within the organization. With an increasingly competitive landscape, video game enthusiasts hope that the upcoming releases from Supermassive and other studios can provide innovative experiences despite internal difficulties.

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Until Dawn has flopped at the box office, failing to connect with the audience

Sony released the movie Until Dawn on April 25, coinciding with the premiere of A Minecraft Movie, making this weekend a significant moment for video game adaptations to film. However, Until Dawn has generated considerably lower revenues compared to its competitor, earning 18 million dollars worldwide, of which 8 million dollars are from the United States, while A Minecraft Movie reached 22.7 million dollars just in the U.S. and over 800 million dollars globally. A […]

Sony released the movie Until Dawn on April 25, coinciding with the premiere of A Minecraft Movie, making this weekend a significant moment for video game adaptations to film. However, Until Dawn has generated considerably lower revenues compared to its competitor, earning 18 million dollars worldwide, of which 8 million dollars are from the United States, while A Minecraft Movie reached 22.7 million dollars just in the U.S. and over 800 million dollars globally.

A movie that is not dominating the box office

The movie Until Dawn has a production budget of 15 million dollars, a fact that places it in a position of financial vulnerability, given the expectations surrounding its box office. Although the opening figures were around the projections of between 8 and 10 million dollars in the U.S., the result is at the lower end of these estimates.

One of the talking points surrounding the film is that the original game writers, Larry Fessenden and Graham Reznick, are not credited. Fessenden, who had previously proposed a video game adaptation to Sony, expressed his surprise at this omission, noting that “there is no courtesy in the entertainment world”.

The final script was written by Blair Butler and Gary Dauberman, resulting in a film that features different characters and locations from the original game, including a time loop mechanic not present in the original work. The film is directed by David F. Sandberg, known for Shazam 2, who admitted to feeling uncertain about tackling another project based on an intellectual property after receiving negative reviews for his previous work with DC.

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Until Dawn has faced many technical challenges in its jump to film

David F. Sandberg, the director of the highly anticipated movie Until Dawn, has shared some of the biggest technical challenges he faced during production, especially related to the costumes and the more violent scenes. With a cast of young people trapped in a time loop and pursued by terrifying threats, filming required meticulous planning, according to Sandberg. He highlighted that the costume of one of the main characters, Clover, needed up to 90 replicas of her outfit due to the multiple stages of the story and the need for additional costumes for action scenes. “It was really difficult to find so many pieces […]

David F. Sandberg, the director of the highly anticipated movie Until Dawn, has shared some of the biggest technical challenges he faced during production, especially related to costumes and the more violent scenes. With a cast of young people trapped in a time loop and pursued by terrifying threats, filming required meticulous planning, according to Sandberg. He highlighted that the costume of one of the main characters, Clover, needed up to 90 replicas of her outfit due to the multiple stages of the story and the need for additional costumes for action scenes. “It was really difficult to find so many pieces of clothing,” he commented.

A movie with very particular setting problems

In addition to the logistical problems with the dressing rooms, the filming of the bloodiest sequences was scheduled for the last days of shooting. “It had to be that way because we destroyed the set,” Sandberg joked, referring to the scene in the bathroom, which was covered in blood. Despite the setbacks, he believes that sequence turned out to be the best of all.

Inspired by the video game of the same name released in 2015, Until Dawn follows a group of twenty-somethings who must face terrifying creatures, from witches to serial killers, every time the night repeats. Sandberg has incorporated various influences from horror cinema, including found footage, which enriches the narrative. This approach allowed him to explore ideas he had wanted to delve into for a long time, such as the “worm in the face” scene.

The movie, which also features a cameo by Sandberg, originally included a crucial scene that could not be filmed due to lack of time. “I can’t wait for the audience to see Until Dawn, which premieres on April 25,” concluded the director, anticipating the reception from the public and critics.

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The first reviews of the Minecraft movie arrive with mixed reception

A Minecraft movie premieres this weekend in theaters, directed by Jared Hess, known for his quirky comedy style, as evidenced by his work in Napoleon Dynamite. The film focuses on four strangers who are transported to the enigmatic and whimsical world of Overworld, where they must find their way back home. A diversity of opinions, but what stands out is not exactly positive. Initial reactions on social media have revealed a variety of opinions. Many describe it as a mix of fun, although they highlight an unclear audience. Some critics […]

A Minecraft movie premieres this weekend in theaters, directed by Jared Hess, known for his quirky comedy style, as evidenced by his work on Napoleon Dynamite. The movie focuses on four strangers who are transported to the enigmatic and whimsical world of Overworld, where they must find their way back home.

Diversity of opinions, but what stands out is not precisely the positive

The initial reactions on social media have revealed a variety of opinions. Many describe it as a mix of fun, although they highlight an unclear audience. Some critics even suggest that it could become a cult classic, similar to Hess’s movie released 20 years ago. On the other hand, there are those who consider it one of the worst films in recent years, emphasizing a deficient script and character development.

Several critics have shared their impressions online. On one hand, YouTuber Cris Parker commented that, while he found fun in the movie, the characters felt underdeveloped. In contrast, Jasmine Valentine from Dexerto was relentless, calling A Minecraft Movie “the worst movie I’ve seen in years,” except for Jennifer Coolidge’s performance. Others, like Chris Killian from ComicBook, showed appreciation for the quirky tone and the performances of Jack Black and Jason Momoa, describing it as a “fever dream” experience.

Despite mixed reviews, A Minecraft Movie has managed to become the highest-grossing PG film in advance sales of the year, projected to earn at least 60 million dollars in its opening weekend. However, it will not be the only video game movie debuting in April, as Sony’s Until Dawn will hit theaters on April 25, and HBO will release the second season of The Last of Us. With increasing competition, it will be interesting to see how audiences embrace A Minecraft Movie in the coming weeks.

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The studio behind the remake of Until Dawn is closing its doors

Ballistic Moon, the studio behind the remake of Until Dawn released in 2024, has announced its effective closure after failing to find a publisher for its next project. According to a report from Insider Gaming, only the founders and a few employees remain active in the company, while the rest of the team has been laid off in recent months. A studio at risk even before the game’s release Founded in 2020 by industry veterans from studios like EA and Supermassive Games, Ballistic Moon has faced significant difficulties in its efforts to secure funding. Despite […]

Ballistic Moon, the studio behind the 2024 remake of Until Dawn, has announced its effective closure after failing to find a publisher for its next project. According to a report from Insider Gaming, only the founders and a few employees remain active in the company, while the rest of the team has been laid off in recent months.

A study under risk even before the game’s launch

Founded in 2020 by industry veterans from studios like EA and Supermassive Games, Ballistic Moon has faced significant challenges in its efforts to secure funding. Despite having worked on a remake that modernized the beloved horror adventure game on PS4 using Unreal Engine 5, its reception was lukewarm compared to the original version. The remake featured a new soundtrack, a shift to a third-person perspective, and a post-credits scene that hinted at a possible sequel. However, this effort does not seem to have been enough to keep the studio afloat.

Additionally, the study did not receive support from Sony for future work related to the Until Dawn franchise, which has further limited its development capacity. Although it is unclear if a sequel to Until Dawn is in development, it seems that Ballistic Moon is not involved in that possible continuation. However, it is rumored that interest in the franchise could be revived with the upcoming release of a movie based on Until Dawn, scheduled for next month.

The disappearance of Ballistic Moon highlights the challenges faced by many independent development studios today, especially in such a competitive and ever-changing market as that of video games. Meanwhile, players can still enjoy the remake of Until Dawn on PC and PS5, although the future of the title and its franchise seems uncertain, even with its movie already in progress.

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The creators of Until Dawn are heading to space with their next video game

Supermassive Games, known for its acclaimed video game Until Dawn, has announced that its new horror and science fiction title, Directive 8020, will be released on October 2, 2023, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. This date was confirmed during the recent PS5 State of Play, where the studio presented a first look at this exciting space adventure. Directive 8020 promises to immerse players in the intense experience of the spaceship Cassiopeia, where player choices will have a significant impact on the fate of the crew and, by extension, of the […]

Supermassive Games, known for its acclaimed video game Until Dawn, has announced that its new horror and science fiction title, Directive 8020, will be released on October 2, 2023, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. This date was confirmed during the recent PS5 State of Play, where the studio presented a first look at this exciting space adventure.

Directive 8020 promises to immerse players in the intense experience of the spaceship Cassiopeia, where players’ choices will have a significant impact on the fate of the crew and, by extension, humanity. The main protagonist, Young, is played by actress Lashana Lynch, known for her role in The Marvels. This game will not only offer an engaging narrative but will also feature a diverse cast of characters and a deadly alien threat that will heighten the tension in the story.

Different setting, but the same spirit as always

Will Doyle, creative director of Supermassive Games, has stated that the team is working hard to provide a narrative experience that combines science fiction exploration with horror elements, where every decision can lead to disastrous consequences. As the story progresses, players will interact with five crew members, facing dilemmas that increase paranoia and distrust aboard the ship.

Supermassive Games has made improvements and redesigns in the gameplay, maintaining the studio’s DNA, which is characterized by branching storylines and difficult decisions that challenge players. The anticipation for Directive 8020 is palpable among genre fans, who eagerly await an intense experience full of surprises and shocking twists.

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The second season of The Last of Us will change important things from the games

The second season of HBO’s The Last of Us, highly anticipated by fans, premieres in April, although a specific date has not yet been announced. In a recent interview, showrunner Craig Mazin revealed that this new installment will not follow the original game’s timeline exactly, which has sparked various expectations among the saga’s followers. Mazin explained that the changes have been carefully designed to tell the best possible story on television, stating that “we have played with time in ways we thought were appropriate for the show.” They hope that […]

The highly anticipated second season of HBO’s The Last of Us premieres in April, although a specific date has not yet been announced. In a recent interview, showrunner Craig Mazin revealed that this new installment will not follow the original game’s timeline exactly, which has sparked various expectations among fans of the saga. Mazin explained that the changes have been carefully designed to tell the best possible story on television, stating that “we have played with time in ways we believed appropriate for the show.”

They expect fans to not necessarily react well to the changes

Additionally, this season will introduce a character that was only mentioned in the games, as well as a new character that does not appear in the original narrative. This expansion of The Last of Us universe has generated comments that the creative team might face “strong reactions” from fans due to these deviations. Mazin mentioned that “we do not operate to make people happy on social media,” emphasizing that their priority is to tell a story that resonates with the audience.

For his part, Neil Druckmann, another of the showrunners, has hinted that The Last of Us Part 3 is in development, as well as other games from Naughty Dog. In April, The Last of Us Part II Remastered will also be released on PC, a move that confirms the ongoing interest in the franchise.

The month of April promises to be exciting for fans of video game adaptations, as the Minecraft movie is also released on April 4 and Until Dawn on the 25th of the same month. Without a doubt, the preparations for these presentations reflect a moment of great activity at the intersection between video games and audiovisual entertainment.

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