Netflix is Now Streaming the Most Fun Horror Movie of the Year; Ignore the Critics
Video game movies have a bad reputation. While there are some diamonds hidden among the rubble—both Silent Hill and Mortal Kombat have their cult fans—the broad truth of the matter is that video games are really hard to adapt in filmic form. It’s a challenge from the outset, because unlike adapting, say, a novel, video games are narratively and mechanically different than movies. Gameplay informs story, and when that active mechanic is removed, it can be challenging for the narrative to sustain the movie alone.
Recently, director David Sandberg (Lights Out, Annabelle: Creation) tried his hand at adapting one of the most famous horror video games of the century. I’m personally a huge fan of Supermassive Games’ work, and their style of gameplay incidentally prioritizes narrative. It seemed like a perfect match, though the critical and financial reception proved otherwise. Hey, it’s got the makings of a cult gem, however, and if you’re both a gamer and a horror fan, you can see for yourself. Until Dawn is currently the most-watched horror movie on Netflix.
Per Netflix: A year after Melanie goes missing, her friends set out to find answers—only to get stuck fighting mysterious killers to the death over and over again.
I was mixed on Until Dawn. As a fan of the source material, it’s too easy to concede that Until Dawn is a bad adaptation. Beyond not adapting the game’s snowy, monstrous setting, the choice mechanic is impossible to adapt. The thrust of the game, and the expanded series of Supermassive titles, is player choice. That is, the opportunity to play a horror movie and see if you’d survive. You can’t get that in a movie.
Expectations aside, while Until Dawn might be a bad adaptation, it’s not a bad movie. Removed from the source material, it’s a uniquely ‘90s hodgepodge of horror tropes and glossy kills. It’s fun, surprising, funny, tender, and Sandberg flexes his filmmaking chops with ease. We said as much in our review, where we wrote, “Here, the result is a nasty and entertaining but deeply confusing film that never skimps on gore but goes too complicated in its story to justify its existence as an official Until Dawn adaptation. Thankfully, incredible practical effects, creative kills, and a stellar roster of rising stars save the film from falling into complete disaster.”
With the film now streaming on Netflix, you can see for yourself. It’s worth a look, especially if you missed it in theaters. When you’ve had a chance to check it out, why not rewind the clock and let me know your thoughts over on Twitter @Chadiscollins?
Categorized: News
