'' UNTIL DAWN '' UNTO* : NETFLIX SCARES

THRILL Of Screams of what to watch on the streaming services. And having said that we honour Netflix.

Of course, we shouldn't completely trust online ratings but that's also the metric we have to go by when trying to decide quickly if a new movie is worth a watch.

Until Dawn's ratings were decent enough to give it a try.

The story is familiar enough. Set in the supernatural world of Glore Valley, Until Dawn follows Clover [ Ella Rubin ] who finds her way to this eerie location a year after her sister Melanie's disappearance.

She's with her friends - Max, Nina, Megan and Abe. They stumble upon an abandoned home-turned guest home in the middle of nowhere.

Upon entering, their night of terror unfolds. They are stalked by various killers and grotesque creatures, including wendigos and witches.

Yet, with each death, the night resets in a chilling time loop, forcing them to relive the same harrowing hours repeatedly.

Directed by David F Sandberg, the film ambitiously blends elements of slasher horror, supernatural dread and psychological torment.

The film's atmospheric settings and inventive kills stand out, with masked stalkers, explosive gore and creature attacks, keeping the tension alive.

Ella Rubin's performance anchors the story, offering some emotional depth to her relentless struggles.  Ji young Yoo also shines as Megan, whose evolution from a zany, dismissed psychic to formidable survivor adds genuine grit to the narrative.

However, the film suffers from repetitive plotting and uneven pacing. And its connection to the source material [ the film is based on a 2015 PlayStation video-game ] feels thin.

Fans of the game have felt that the adaptation lacks the interactivity and narrative richness that made the original compelling.

Nonetheless, the film has struck a chord with general audiences and, despite its flaws, Until Dawn manages to deliver a visually engaging and occasionally darkly satisfying ride - especially if you're drawn to slasher-style scares and do-over dynamics.

It's the kind of film you'll enjoy watching once. It has excellent jump scares.

The World Students Society thanks Madeeha Syed.