Until Dawn (2025)
Until Dawn - Full Movie Review
Directed by: David F. Sandberg
Starring: Katherine McNamara, Finn Wolfhard, Zoë Kravitz, Anya Taylor-Joy, Tony Todd
Genre: Horror, Psychological Thriller
Runtime: 2h 10m
Release Year: 2025 
Theaterical Release Poster
Introduction
David F. Sandberg, known for his mastery in horror filmmaking (Lights Out, Annabelle: Creation, Shazam!), returns to his darker roots with Until Dawn (2025)—a haunting psychological horror-thriller inspired by the iconic video game of the same name. With a stellar ensemble cast and a story that keeps viewers on edge from beginning to end, this film is both a terrifying cinematic experience and a deeply emotional journey.
Full Story / Plot Summary
Act 1: The Reunion The film begins with a chilling prologue—two teenage girls, Hannah and Beth Washington, mysteriously vanish during a snowy winter night at their family’s remote mountain lodge in Blackwood Pines. The incident is captured on shaky cam footage by their friends, giving it a disturbingly real texture.
Fast-forward one year. Josh Washington (Finn Wolfhard), still reeling from the trauma of his sisters' disappearance, invites the same group of friends back to the lodge for a weekend of remembrance and healing. The group includes:
Sam (Katherine McNamara) – smart, compassionate, the heart of the group.
Mike (Dylan O'Brien) – charismatic, brave, but reckless.
Jessica (Zoë Kravitz) – Mike’s girlfriend, confident and bold.
Emily (Anya Taylor-Joy) – sarcastic, high-strung, and calculating.
Matt (Justice Smith) – Emily’s current boyfriend, rational and kind.
Ashley (Florence Pugh) – curious and observant, often senses when something feels wrong.
Chris (Lucas Hedges) – witty tech guy, close to Ashley.
The snowy lodge feels eerie from the beginning. Odd noises in the woods, strange shadows, and old legends about the mountain set the tone. As night falls, tension among the group starts to build.
Act 2: The Descent into Terror While exploring the property and rekindling friendships, the group discovers a hidden basement filled with old mining gear and tribal markings. They learn that the mountain was once home to miners who were trapped underground for months—and when rescued, they had supposedly turned to cannibalism to survive. These miners are rumored to have turned into Wendigos, according to Native American legend.
Meanwhile, Jessica is attacked and dragged into the woods by an unseen creature. Mike goes after her, leading to a harrowing chase and a glimpse of something monstrous—emaciated, fast, and unnatural.
At the same time, Ashley and Chris discover a series of videotapes left by a mysterious stranger warning them about the Wendigo curse. The tapes reveal chilling historical footage of early Wendigo sightings and tribal warnings. They’re not alone—and they’re being hunted.
The group begins to fracture. Josh disappears, leaving behind signs of a struggle. The friends try to stay together, but paranoia and fear split them apart. Matt and Emily attempt to reach a radio tower to call for help, but are ambushed by something vicious. Emily is injured. Matt narrowly survives.
Sam, trapped in the lodge, finds a journal written by a Wendigo survivor who explains the curse: When someone resorts to cannibalism on this mountain, they are possessed by the Wendigo spirit. The hunger never ends. The transformation is irreversible.
Act 3: Revelations and Survival It’s revealed that Josh—consumed by guilt and anger—had staged parts of the early scares as a twisted way to make his friends feel the trauma he lives with. But his plan backfired when the real Wendigo emerged. In a devastating scene, Josh is captured and ultimately transformed into a Wendigo after being forced to feed on human flesh in captivity.
As the group dwindles, the survivors must make impossible decisions: hide, flee, or fight. Emily sacrifices herself to save Matt, who finally manages to send out a distress signal. Mike and Sam regroup in the basement and find a way to trap the Wendigo in a blast chamber.
In a fiery climax, the chamber explodes, seemingly killing the creature—but not before Sam sees Josh’s face on the creature for a brief, horrifying moment.
Ending Explained
The ending of Until Dawn is deliberately ambiguous. Though the authorities arrive and rescue the remaining survivors, Sam looks into the woods one last time—and hears that same bone-chilling screech. The curse may not be over.
A post-credit scene shows a survivor being examined in a hospital. As the lights flicker and their breath becomes visible in the cold air, we hear the Wendigo scream again…
Was the spirit passed on? Is the cycle starting again?
Performances
Katherine McNamara delivers a grounded, emotionally resonant performance as Sam. Finn Wolfhard’s portrayal of Josh stands out—tormented, broken, and ultimately monstrous. Zoë Kravitz and Anya Taylor-Joy shine in emotionally intense scenes, while Tony Todd makes a surprise appearance as a tribal historian and narrator.
Direction & Cinematography
Sandberg masterfully combines found footage aesthetics with cinematic flair. The snowy landscapes and candle-lit interiors create a haunting visual tone. The use of silence, sudden shrieks, and practical effects over CGI makes the horror more visceral.
Final Verdict
Until Dawn (2025) is not just a horror film—it’s a psychological descent into fear, guilt, and survival. With an emotionally layered story, smart direction, and bone-chilling visuals, it cements David F. Sandberg’s legacy as a horror auteur.
Rating: 9/10
A must-watch for fans of horror thrillers, psychological mysteries, and story-driven cinema.
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