Until Dawn

Until Dawn wants to carve its own path, separate from its source material. Ironically, in trying to be different, it ends up feeling more clichéd than ever.

The film is far from original, but it successfully translates game logic to the big screen.

The film promises that every night will contain a new horror, but the lack of variety means they all feel as punishingly repetitive for the viewer as they are for the characters.

This one will likely only appeal to fans of the genre who appreciate reverence and twists on this kind of material, but it’s bloody — if lightweight — fun for those who enjoy this kind of good old-fashioned romp in the woods.

"Until Dawn" doesn't do enough to carve out its own path, but it does a good job riffing on a host of situations and scenarios you've seen before.

They actually came up with a really clever idea … and then did almost nothing with it.

Enjoy a couple of decent jump scares, then cringe at the (dull and indecisive) narrative... (although) the production design looks ready-made for Halloween Horror Nights...

If you fail the fans at the top of your Until Dawn film, who is this offshoot for?

“Until Dawn” combines “The Vanishing” (1988), “Silent Hill” (2006), “The Endless” (2017) with a dash of “Doll Eyes” (2021) and “Storm of the Century” (1999). There are visual shout outs to Sam Raimi’s horror films.

Audiences looking for some cheap thrills and mindless entertainment could do a lot worse and in the echelon of video games-turned-movies, it’s not bad.