The new movie, although it shares the name with the PlayStation game "Until Dawn," takes significant liberties with its source material and incorporates elements reminiscent of the game "Dead by Daylight."
**Time Loop/Reliving Deaths:** The film's premise involves a group of friends who are horrifically murdered one by one, only to wake up and find themselves back at the beginning of the same evening. This cycle of death and rebirth, where each attempt to escape leads to another reset, strongly echoes the trials and escapes featured in "Dead by Daylight." In that game, survivors continuously try to escape, and even if they die, the trial resets for the next match.
**Multiple Killers/Threats:** Each time the threat arises, it is different, with each new killer being more terrifying than the last. From characters like the Trapper and the Huntress to the Wraith, Wendigo, the Hag, the Doctor, and the cosmic horror entity, the dynamic of facing various distinct threats is a fundamental aspect of "Dead by Daylight." This differs from the original "Until Dawn" game, which primarily focused on one type of antagonistโthe Wendigosโfor most of the gameplay.
**Focus on Escape:** While "Until Dawn" (the game) centers on surviving a night and making choices, the movie places a much greater emphasis on escaping a series of repeated deaths. This urgency mirrors the primary objective for survivors in "Dead by Daylight." even much of the set design is that of Death by Daylight
Many fans of the "Until Dawn" game have expressed disappointment and confusion, as the movie's premise does not align with the core narrative and characters of the game. Both "Until Dawn" and "Dead by Daylight" are PlayStation originals and exclusives, leading to speculation that the filmmakers took an original script based on a "Groundhog Day" meets horror concept and merged aspects of both games, attaching the "Until Dawn" name to it. Regardless, if you're a true gamer, you may still find enjoyment in the film.