Last night I watched Until Dawn, and I won’t lie – I was skeptical about another “Groundhog Day” horror concept. We’ve seen it all before, but this one managed to surprise me with its creative kill scenes and laugh-out-loud moments mixed in with the screams.

The whole “stuck in a time loop” thing has been done to death (pun intended), but Until Dawn puts its own bloody fingerprint on the concept. A group of friends find themselves reliving the same terrifying night over and over, and watching them slowly realize their predicament adds a layer of psychological horror that works surprisingly well.

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Cast

The cast had surprisingly good chemistry, considering they spend most of the movie terrified out of their minds. Unlike most horror flicks where you’re begging for certain characters to die, I actually found myself rooting for this group to figure a way out of their nightmarish scenario.

Death Scenes (Galore!)

What really stands out are the death scenes – they’re inventive, grotesque, and sometimes so over-the-top that you can’t help but laugh. The filmmakers clearly had fun dreaming up new ways to dispatch these poor souls, and that fun translates to the screen. My theater was a symphony of gasps, laughs, and screams. At one point, someone actually yelled, “Don’t go in there!” which pretty much sums up the audience’s investment.

Sets

The sets looked fantastic – creepy, atmospheric, and perfect for a night of terror. My only real complaint is that they felt rushed through. I wanted more time to explore the backstory and understand why this nightmare was happening in the first place. By the end, I still had questions that needed answers.

Conclusion

I’ll admit, the repetitive nature of the storyline started to wear on me toward the final act. There’s only so many times you can watch characters try to outrun their fate before you start checking your watch. That being said, the writers throw in enough twists to keep you guessing until the credits roll.

I’d recommend Until Dawn to anyone who enjoys their horror with a side of humor. If you liked Happy Death Day or Freaky, you’ll probably get a kick out of this one too. Just don’t expect profound storytelling – this is about the ride, not the destination.

Despite some pacing issues and unanswered questions, Until Dawn delivers enough screams and laughs to make it worth your time, if not in the theater then certainly when it comes to a streaming service.

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Grade: B-

If you liked this…

If you enjoyed the time loop horror concept, check out Happy Death Day and its sequel. For more horror-comedy with friends in peril, The Cabin in the Woods and Ready or Not deliver similar vibes with different twists.

About The Peetimes: There are 2 Peetimes for you to choose from. It was impossible to avoid death scenes in my Peetimes. The movie is full of them.

There are no extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of Until Dawn.

Plot
A group of friends trapped in a time loop, where mysterious foes are chasing and killing them in gruesome ways, must survive until dawn to escape it.