Director David F. Sandberg is back in his comfort zone � a remote cabin in the woods filled with terrifying monsters. After helming two “Shazam!� movies, the “Lights Out� and “Annabelle: Creation� filmmaker announced he was leaving superheroes behind and going back to the horror genre, and with his latest film, “Until Dawn,� it’s obvious he’s happy to be home.
Like any good horror buff, Sandberg knows that the best horror films need only a few well-honed elements to work: a group of young people, the aforementioned scary cabin, and in this case, clowns. The script by Blair Butler and Gary Dauberman is based on a PlayStation game written by horror filmmakers Larry Fessenden and Graham Reznick, who took inspiration from movies like “Evil Dead� and “Poltergeist,� and the film adaptation indeed boasts that “Evil Dead� influence in its setting, characters and gore factor.
This is a light and breezy affair with a few unexpected twists, some social commentary that doesn’t entirely land, and it might not have enough staying power for it to be truly memorable. -- Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service Read moreMovie Review: 'Clown in a Cornfield' a light, breezy slasher
This flick isn’t a masterpiece, not even a vulgar one, but it’s cheeky and entertaining enough in its giddy hyper-violence, thanks almost entirely to the star turn of Josh Hartnett, who has proven in his recent renaissance that he’s especially great in bozo mode. -- Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service Read moreMovie Review: Josh Hartnett saves 'Fight or Flight' from crash landing
This one will likely only appeal to fans of the genre who appreciate reverence and twists on this kind of material, but it’s bloody � if lightweight � fun for those who enjoy this kind of good old-fashioned romp in the woods. -- Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service Read moreMovie Review: 'Until Dawn' a gory romp in the woods
