The horror movie UNTIL DAWN (2025) was written by Gary Dauberman and Blair Butler and directed by David F. Sandberg. From the popular 2015 PlayStation game of the same name, the movie takes a new but familiar approach, adding to the game’s mythology while telling a completely new story on its own.
In the movie, Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, Odessa A’zion, Ji-young Yoo, and Belmont Cameli play friends who get stuck in a nightmare loop where each death brings a new supernatural threat to the evening. Peter Stormare—a horror veteran, plays the same character from the first game. This connects the two mediums and gives the creepy world more continuity.
WHERE WAS UNTIL DAWN (2025) FILMED?
Filming for Until Dawn took place between August 5 and October 4, 2024, with production centered in Budapest, Hungary. The Hungarian capital, known for its rich history, gothic architecture, and versatile cityscape, provided the ideal haunting backdrop for this survival horror film. Budapest has gained fame in recent years as a major hub for international film productions, especially in the thriller and horror genres.
WHY BUDAPEST?
Budapest is not only visually striking but also offers extensive production infrastructure and cost-effective resources. In the case of Until Dawn, the production tapped into the city’s eerie charm and haunting natural settings to create the moody atmosphere required for a story rooted in dread, isolation, and looping terror. Maxime Alexandre, a cinematographer known for creating spooky atmospheres, brought the script to life with chilling accuracy in Hungary’s unique scenery.
Many people think that Origo Studios, which is one of Europe’s biggest and most advanced film studios, was used as a central hub, though the filmmakers haven’t confirmed this. Origo has been the host of other horror movies, like Alien: Romulus, so it was a good choice for a movie with a lot of practical effects and complicated sets.
THE STUDIO’S ROLE IN SETTING THE TONE
Director David F. Sandberg leaned into practical effects as much as possible, often convincing both Sony and the VFX team to limit digital enhancements in favor of real-world magic. The flexible studio spaces in Budapest helped Sandberg’s style. They made it possible to build and shoot detailed interior sets like the scary witch’s house and the creepy graveyard scenes in a controlled environment while keeping the film’s tactile, immersive horror style.
BEHIND THE SCENES DETAILS
Sandberg’s love for creativity extended into post-production. One particularly unique addition was the end credits sequence, designed to feature missing person posters of the cast and crew. Shot in Budapest, this sequence added a personal and humorous twist, with each person allowed to choose their own childhood photo for the poster. Editor Michel Aller chose a picture from her childhood, which sparked envy among the rest of the crew for not thinking of it first.
The production also cleverly paid homage to horror history and the Until Dawn game. Scenes were constructed to mirror the visual symbolism of the original title, such as the hourglass skull imagery and butterfly-effect runes, hidden throughout the movie. Set designers incorporated these motifs on props and background elements across several Budapest-based sets, including a scene filmed in a chilling recreation of an abandoned mining lodge — a nod to the game’s setting.
OFFICIAL TRAILER
Stay tuned to Netfilming.com for more updates, filming news, and behind-the-scenes.
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