WhileThe Last of Uscontinues to astound critics and audiences on Max, anothervideo game adaptationhas been struggling to entertain them. 2025 has been an excellent year for video game movies and shows so far, asSonic the Hedgehog 3earned over $491 million after its late 2024 release, andA Minecraft Movieis already the biggest movie of the year so far, striving to cross the $1 billion mark. Even on the small screen,The Last of Ushas already been renewed for season 3, while season 2 continues to air.
This marks a significant change from previous decades, as the2010s featured a variety of disappointing adaptations that made video game movies and shows largely unpalatable. Aside from a few successful adaptations, includingWarcraft(2016),Rampage(2018), andPokémon Detective Pikachu(2019), these films generally struggled to gain traction.Assassin’s Creed(2016),Hitman: Agent 47(2015), andPrince of Persia: The Sands of Time(2010) were all releases that deeply disappointed audiences. Unfortunately, despite the rise of successful video game movies in the 2020s, one new release is struggling.
Until Dawn Is Already Deeply Divisive
Audiences Are Far More Favorable
TheUntil Dawnmovie has already proven to be divisive, just one day after its release. An adaptation of the hit 2015 video game, the film stars Ella Rubin (Clover Paul), Michael Cimino (Max), and Odessa A’zion (Nina) as a group desperately trying to survive a time loop, asdeadlyUntil Dawncreatures like the wendigo hunt them down. David F. Sandberg (Shazam!) served as the director, attempting to translate a choose-your-own-adventure narrative into a single theatrical storyline.
Currently, the movie has already proven that it is dividing critics and audiences. The adaptation has earned a51% Tomatometer scoreon the review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes, which is enough to earn a Rotten designation. Audiences have been much kinder, having offered a positive70% score on the Popcornmeter, which is a good sign, though not exceptional. These scores are subject to change as more reviews come in, but they indicate that critics and audiences have a very different impression of the latest video game adaptation.
There is certainly potential in this inventive horror movie, but it is disappointing that it fails to excite critics.ScreenRant’s Mary Kassel reviewedUntil Dawnand found that it is"immersive, fun, and shines"in its greatest moments. However, even their praise-heavy review admitted that the movie struggles with pacing. Critics have despaired of the breakneck pace, the campy story, and the lack of originality in a movie that should be steeped in it. Many also argued that the movie failed to live up to the game’s compelling story.
The $15 million budget means that reclaiming that budget is possible, but it will need to gain some momentum.
The audience’s response is likely more significant, however, as it could indicate a fairly positive word-of-mouth that could promote more interest in the film.The opening weekend has been fairly muted so far, as the movie is expected to earn just $8 million in its opening weekend. The $15 million budget means that reclaiming that budget is possible, but it will need to gain some momentum to ensure that it can achieve profitability. With its weak C+ CinemaScore,Until Dawnneeded a positive Popcornmeter score, and it may just make a difference.
