Until Dawn opens in theaters to mixed critical reception

The film adaptation of Until Dawn, based on a popular horror-themed video game developed by PlayStation Studios, opened in theaters today, April 24, 2025. Directed by David F. Sandberg, known for previous works such as Annabelle: Creation and Shazam!, the movie follows a group of friends searching for answers regarding the mysterious disappearance of one of their own, Clover's sister, Melanie. As the friends explore an abandoned visitor center, they are stalked by a masked killer and meet gruesome fates, only to relive the same night repeatedly with escalating threats. The plot sets up a compelling blend of horror and suspense, drawing on themes present in both horror films and video games. Until Dawn has garnered a mixed critical response as early reviews have surfaced, showing a split among critics. As of now, it holds a 58% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 26 reviews. Some critics, such as William Bibbiani of The Wrap and Alison Foreman from IndieWire, provided positive feedback, highlighting the film's capacity to generate jump scares and suggesting it serves well as a horror spoof. In contrast, others, including Eric Piepenburg of The New York Times, expressed disappointment, claiming it fails to engage viewers successfully, with some describing the experience as boring and lacking substance. Notably, the arriving reviews suggest that Until Dawn may not scream greatness, but it does feature a talented cast including Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, and Odessa A'zion. The film implies a mix of action typical to horror narratives alongside puzzling plot shifts that have left certain critics dissatisfied. The dual perspective in reviews indicates a divided audience ahead of the wider public release. For those wishing to watch Until Dawn at home, it is currently unavailable for streaming; however, reviews hint at a rolling release schedule that has been typical of other recent Sony films. Based on the historical data of recent Sony releases, viewers can expect Until Dawn to arrive on digital platforms, possibly Netflix, in a month to six weeks following the theater premiere. Given Sony's previous timelines, streaming availability could start as soon as late May and could extend into June 2025. This anticipated streaming path showcases the growing trend of digital consumption in cinema, further emphasizing the importance of initial theatrical releases for capturing varied audience reactions and critical assessments.