Until Dawn: Critics Hate, Audiences Love – Rotten Tomatoes Split

by

Meanwhile, The Last of Us remains captivating critics and viewers on Max, as another video game adaptation faces challenges in keeping its audience engaged. This year, 2025, has proven favorable for movie and TV adaptations of video games, with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 grossing over $491 million following its release on December 20, 2024, and A Minecraft Movie leading as the highest-grossing film of the year thus far, aiming to surpass the $1 billion threshold. On the smaller screen, The Last of Us has already secured a third season renewal, with its second season still airing.

The 2010s, contrastingly, saw a number of disappointing video game adaptations, making movies and shows based on games less appealing to most viewers. However, exceptions like “Warcraft” (2016), “Rampage” (2018), and “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” (2019) proved that success was possible. Unfortunately, many other adaptations such as “Assassin’s Creed” (2016), “Hitman: Agent 47” (2015), and “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” (2010) underperformed and left fans disappointed. Even with the surge of successful video game movies in the 2020s, a recent release is currently struggling to find its footing.

Until Dawn Is Already Deeply Divisive

Audiences Are Far More Favorable

The movie “Until Dawn” has sparked debate just a day after its release, being an adaption from the popular 2015 video game of the same name. Starring Ella Rubin (as Clover Paul), Michael Cimino (Max), Odessa A’zion (Nina), and others, it follows a group of teenagers who are trapped in a time loop, hunted by a terrifying wendigo. David F. Sandberg, director of “Shazam!”, helmed the project, endeavoring to convert a choose-your-own-adventure narrative into a linear cinematic storyline. The film hit theaters on April 25 and was made with a budget of $15 million.

Regrettably, the film has already shown signs of being divisive among both critics and viewers. It currently holds a 51% Tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator, which is below average and results in a “Rotten” label. Conversely, audiences have been more forgiving, bestowing a positive 70% score on the Popcornmeter, although this isn’t exceptional. These ratings can fluctuate as more reviews are published, but they suggest that critics and viewers hold contrasting views about this new movie based on a video game.

What Until Dawn’s Divisive Scores Mean

Neither Score Is Incredible

The innovative horror film, Until Dawn, holds promise but falls short in captivating critics. ScreenRant‘s Mary Kassel, in her early review, notes that it is “immersive, enjoyable, and shines brightly” at its best moments. However, even Kassel’s glowing review acknowledges issues with the film’s pacing. Critics have voiced their disappointment over its breakneck speed, cheesy plot, and lack of originality in a genre that should be rich with it. Moreover, many feel the movie didn’t meet expectations set by the captivating storyline of the game.

The initial audience reception seems crucial because it might signal a good word-of-mouth effect, sparking more curiosity about the movie. Unfortunately, the film’s opening weekend earnings are relatively low at around $8 million, which is a concern given its $15 million budget. However, recouping the investment is feasible, provided the film can pick up speed and become profitable. The movie “Until Dawn,” with its disappointing C+ CinemaScore, could greatly benefit from a favorable Popcornmeter rating to help turn things around.

Read More

2025-04-26 21:11