Title: Until Dawn's Cinematic Adaptation Strays Away from the Original Game
In a refreshing departure from the recent wave of video game adaptations that gleefully pay homage to their source material, we're stepping back into "classic" territory with Sony's take on the 2015 game, "Until Dawn." Directed by David F. Sandberg and Gary Dauberman, this film shares the title but not much else, as hinted in their new preview.
The plot revolves around a group of young adults celebrating at a cabin, only to find themselves under attack by deadly forces. However, they stumble upon a mysterious hourglass that can turn back time after their untimely demises. Each time they resurrect, they're thrust into a new horror scenario and get to try different options to see if they can survive the night.
This premise does make some sense given the game's interactive and unpredictable nature. It leans on quick-time events, mocap celebrities, and narrative choices to create a cinematic feel. The game also has a mechanic where players find totems that reveal upcoming events or character deaths.
But as for the film's new "rewind-esque" mechanic, it seems more akin to loading an earlier save in the game rather than a true time-loop scenario. And the film appears to veer away from the snowy setting and wendigo antagonists, opting instead for a more familiar and human-focused horror setup.
There's some glimmer of hope for diehard fans: Peter Stormare reprises his role as Dr. Hill, and Sandberg teases that each hourglass reset will shift the movie into a new horror genre. Perhaps we'll even get a creature feature vibe later on.
All in all, the film looks less like its inspiration and more like a regular horror movie sharing the same name. Here's hoping it proves to be an intriguing one. "Until Dawn" hits theaters on April 25.
[Enrichment Insights]- Sandberg and Dauberman's adaptation aims to cater to non-gaming audiences by introducing new elements and changes, while retaining the core concept of the game.- The film will incorporate a non-linear storytelling structure inspired by the game's butterfly effect system, where character deaths and resurrections lead to different outcomes.- The movie will also incorporate visual and thematic elements that expand upon the game's universe, offering fans a fresh experience while maintaining its tone and vibe.
[1] [2] [3] [4] Source: Enrichment Data
Given the upcoming movie "Until Dawn," which aims to appeal to non-gaming audiences, the future of cinema seems to be embracing more interactive storytelling techniques, drawing inspiration from video games. Also, IO9 might cover the unique blend of elements from the game and the movie, such as the non-linear narrative and the shift into different horror genres, in their movie reviews.
