Until Dawn sends in the clowns

The new fright flick Until Dawn throws in everything but the kitchen sink to scare up horror enthusiasts and video game players.

One year following the death of her sister Melanie, Clover and her friends set out on a sentimental journey to a strange area in the woods. Reality sets in as harsh weather conditions, unexpected occurrences and ghostly apparitions appear around them. The five youngsters become trapped in a time loop within a haunted house full of countless deaths. The only way for them to survive the various obstacles is to make it until dawn the next day.

Foreshadowing for Scooby-doo and the gang comes in the form of a store owner named Hill, played by 71-year-old actor Peter Stormare. Stormare and the director, David F. Sandberg, are both from Sweden and bring a unique flair to the piece. They are paired with an American screenwriting duo Gary Dauberman, who knows his genre with a history in nuns, frightening dolls and Stephen King, and standup comedian Blair Butler. It's important to know these facts while watching Dawn to know what to expect and how things might play out.

There is an effective use of several pop-out scares involving clowns, frenetic pacing and over-the-top gore along the way.

Ella Rubin leads the talented young cast as Clover and Odessa A'zion plays Nina, similar to a young Debra Winger. Some may know Michael Cimino from the Disney+ queer series Love, Victor and covers the role of Max in Until Dawn. Belmont Cameli gets a few zingers in as Abel and Maia Mitchell as Melanie does a good job of holding her ground.

Korean actress Ji-young Yoo is overqualified from her real-life academic background to play psychic Megan, but is climbing her way to the top as an actress.

This horror movie uses the Groundhog Day mechanism and creates a problem. It's like being trapped in a haunted house in spring and the timing would be more effective in October. This betrays the audience's emotions even if they know the gimmick is coming and are prepared. There are bloody splatters that have no real effect because viewers quickly learn that no death is permanent and anything goes to keep the plot moving.

Time loops and dream sequences can create confusion and frustration in an audience. Many may feel played by PlayStation and give up the ghost early on. Whether people enjoy this early attempt at a Halloween story or not, like sands through the hourglass, these scare tactics will go on and on.

Sony Pictures Releasing debuts Until Dawn on April 25, 2025, in theaters nationwide.