Unlock Hidden Easter Eggs in the Until Dawn Movie – Are You Missing Them?

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Summary

  • Until Dawn started as a PS3 game, switched to PS4, then got a PS5 remake as a film.
  • Easter Egg: Director, David F. Sandberg, appears in the Until Dawn movie on a missing poster.
  • The final scene hints at a sequel or tie-in to a video game, setting up a potential movie continuation.

Initially, Until Dawn faced a rocky journey in its development. Originally planned for the PS3 in 2012, it seemed to vanish from sight. However, it resurfaced in 2014 and was eventually launched on the PS4 instead. The game quickly gained popularity as an engaging narrative adventure that combined chilling horror elements inspired by classic 80s slasher movies and contemporary monster films.

In 2024, the game was given a revamp, leaning more towards a remaster, for the PS5 and PC systems. Now, it’s back again, this time as a film titled “Until Dawn“. Naturally, you might wonder if the movie contains references to the game. Absolutely it does! Here are some Easter Eggs that even keen-eyed viewers and dedicated gamers of Until Dawn might have overlooked in the film.

6. The Director Is Missing

Did You Spot David F. Sandberg?

I always enjoy noticing directors in films, and that includes David F. Sandberg, the man behind “Until Dawn.” In his own cinematic creation, “Annabelle: Creation,” you can technically spot him. When the five-some arrives at Glore Valley’s Welcome Center in the movie, Abel stumbles upon a collection of missing posters – and if you look closely, one of those faces just might be David F. Sandberg himself.

As I gazed upon this intriguing poster, my eyes immediately zeroed in on the familiar visage of director David F. Sandberg, a face that stands out even in the stark contrast of black and white. There’s no denying it, his presence is undeniable. I suspect there might be other hidden gems scattered across this notice board, but Sandberg’s signature is hard to miss.

For those who haven’t had the pleasure, I would wholeheartedly suggest diving into Sandberg’s debut horror masterpiece, Lights Out, a chilling tale he brought to life under the guidance of fellow filmmaker James Wan, who served as its producer.

5. Setting Up The Game

Was This A Prequel?

In contrast to Marvel movies keeping viewers waiting until the end credits for bonus content, the game Until Dawn wisely provides its teaser before the closing credits. This means that theater-goers can quickly exit after a prolonged session to attend to other needs, such as using the restroom. In the final scene, a line of televisions is showcased, reminiscent of the game’s setting, and each one switches from the Glore Valley Welcome Center to a warm, inviting cabin-like image.

In the finale, the TV screen displays an isolated cabin in the snow and a vehicle stopping beside it. The storyline of the 2015 game, “Until Dawn,” revolves around a group of college students who find themselves stranded in a cabin on a snow-covered mountain peak. This scene could either be linking to the video game narrative or hinting at a potential movie follow-up.

4. Dr. Hill’s Notes

Hello Josh

In the game, there’s another significant link suggesting a unified cosmos. When Clover eventually reaches Dr. Hill’s hidden office below ground, he discloses that he manipulates her fears to create monstrous beings aimed at frightening her and her companions. He lays down a case file detailing Clover’s past hospitalization in a psychiatric facility on the table when she’s there.

Furthermore, Dr. Hill shares another document focusing on Joshua Washington, better known as Josh, the chief adversary in the game. Rami Malek portrayed Josh in one of his initial acting gigs, where he donned a mask and hunted his friends like a slasher villain. Traumatized by the deaths of his twin sisters, Josh developed into a mentally disturbed antagonist. His outfit mirrored that of the masked killer from the movie, often called “Psycho” in the credits, providing another layer of reference.

3. A Brief Rush Of Blood Teaser

A Carnival In Sight

Apart from the remake, only one follow-up to the original Until Dawn has been released, and it’s more like a spin-off. The PSVR game titled Until Dawn: Rush of Blood was an on-rails shooter that lacked a narrative. Instead, players navigated through a twisted carnival, constantly evading the antagonist from the main storyline.

In the movie, as our protagonists reach the climactic day, they peer out and find that a large portion of the town seems to be standing again. Far in the horizon, there’s an unmistakable Ferris Wheel – a subtle reference to the carnival backdrop of “Until Dawn: Rush of Blood”. Regrettably, none of the characters survive to attend this gory carnival, which could have provided a fitting and exciting final scene.

2. A Nod To Classic Horror Tropes

Fear Awakens Us All

Max points out at the beginning that their predicament resembles a popular time loop film genre, as events change daily. For horror enthusiasts, this provides an array of frightening scenarios and methods of character demise. Essentially, Until Dawn showcases many significant sub-genres of horror movies, making it somewhat like a compilation or best-of collection in the horror genre.

On the initial day, we have a chilling slasher flick that resembles Jason from “Friday the 13th.” It also incorporates elements of movies where protagonists are possessed and go on killing sprees, similar to “Smile.” The footage is reminiscent of “The Blair Witch Project,” while there’s even a nod to zombie films with Wendigos pursuing our heroes. The plot, in essence, is an entertaining approach to crafting a time loop movie and blending every horror sub-genre conceivable.

1. A Hodgepodge Of Smaller Game Nods

Look Close, Dear Viewers

Just as with missing posters, it can be hard to spot every Easter Egg from the movie “Until Dawn” during a theater viewing the first time. However, die-hard fans will likely find more when the full home release comes out. Here are some subtler references that were noticed in the film. One such example is the hourglass, which functions as a time reset device for the main characters in the movie.

In the game, although the hourglass doesn’t play a crucial role, it is depicted on the cover much like how a movie adaptation might prominently display a key prop. The gas station where the characters arrive is named Hartley’s, a tribute to Chris Hartley, one of the primary characters in Until Dawn, the original game. In the film, Clover falls into a bear trap, mirroring Mike’s predicament in the game, except it’s his hand rather than his foot. The Wendigos were a significant creature in the game, and Dr. Hill was played by Peter Stormare again, but they are more like recurring characters than Easter Eggs.

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2025-04-27 16:06