"Until Dawn" Movie Ending Hints at Game & Film Sequels

The "Until Dawn" movie, inspired by the hit 2015 video game, has sparked discussions about potential sequels. The film follows a group of survivors battling killers, wendigos, and the sinister Dr. Hill, all while trapped in a terrifying time loop. Directed by David F. Sandberg and starring Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, and Ji-young Yoo, the movie opened with an estimated $8 million, against a $15 million budget.

Writer Gary Dauberman has expressed his hopes for the future of the franchise. In an interview, Dauberman shared his vision for a connected universe, spanning new games, movies, and TV shows. He envisions these different mediums as interconnected, bridging the gaps between them and creating a richer, more immersive experience for fans.

A Connected Universe for "Until Dawn" Dauberman's ideal scenario involves a continuous flow of content. "I'm hoping that there's a new game that's part of the story," he explained. "My ideal scenario is that there's a game, a movie, a game, a movie or a TV [show], whatever it is. But just really building it out in all different kinds of media, I think, is what's exciting."

The existing "Until Dawn" games already weave a complex web of stories. The movie's ending, featuring a shot of the cabin from the original game, strengthens the connection between the two. The film appears to be set earlier in the timeline, showing Dr. Hill refining his experiments, directly linking it to the game's narrative. This even reinterprets the original story, suggesting that the supernatural Hill might be a product of a teenager's imagination.

Replayability and Future Connections While the movie adds new elements, like a greater variety of enemies and the death loop, it ultimately enhances the game's replayability. By serving as a prequel, the film encourages players to revisit the original game, reconsidering Dr. Hill's character and the nature of the wendigos. This clever connection revitalizes a now-classic horror experience. This approach builds on what made the original game so popular: the ability to make choices that drastically changed the story and character fates. There are, however, differences between the two. The game lacks the movie's death loop, and the wendigo are significantly different. Despite these distinctions, the film's connections to the original game are a brilliant way to honor the franchise.