The article contains major spoilers for Until Dawn ending.Until Dawndirector David F. Sandberg revealed the idea behind the film’s end credits, which feature members of the cast and crew on missing persons flyers. The horror movie, an adaptation of a popular Playstation video game, follows a group of friends who become stuck in a Groundhog Day-esque time loop in which they are brutally murdered every night. While exploring their creepy surroundings,they discover a wall covered in countless missing persons posters—a collection that includes their own photos. However, even after its protagonists escape the cycle of death,Until Dawnshowcases another set of posters during the end credits.
Speaking withThe Hollywood Reporter, Sandberg further explained how the film’s end credits came to be. He conceived the idea while filmingUntil Dawn,believing it would be a “really fun” way to end the movie.It expands the movie’s motif by introducing the real-life members of the cast and crew into the fictional world ofUntil Dawn.
That was an idea I had while we were shooting it. I thought it would be really fun for the end credits to have missing posters of the whole crew and cast on that board. So I wanted to do that, but I was also clear to everyone, “You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.” The editor, Michel Aller, chose a childhood picture of herself, so it looks like a child edited this movie. (Laughs.) When I showed the movie to everyone else, they were so envious of her. They were like, “You could use a childhood picture? What the fuck!? Why didn’t I think of that?” But everyone thought it was a fun idea to do that, and I love it because you get to see the people who made the movie, for a change.
What This Means For Until Dawn
The Movie Highlights The Filmmaking Crew
Sandberg’s decision to highlight both the cast and crew with photos of their faces rather than just their names on screen separatesUntil Dawnfrom other movies. Not only is this a unique way to showcase the talented team behind the movie, but it works to expand the world. While the real-life cast and crew may not be a part of the film’s in-universe lore,the use of missing posters keeps the story’s eerie themes goingright untilthe very end ofUntil Dawn.
Sandberg took the opportunity to truly include both the cast and crew in its end credits,drawing attention to the people working behind-the-scenes as well as those in front of the lens. It’s uncommon to put the spotlight on those responsible for the essential off-camera elements of movie-making, such as editors and writers. The filmmaker showed the true collective and collaborative effort it took to create the movie by putting the crew’s photos on spooky missing postersduringUntil Dawn’s end credits.
Image via Sony Pictures
It was a great decision to use missing posters in the end credits of the film. The director took a bold risk that not only showcased his admiration and respect fortheUntil Dawncast and crewbut also his dedication to the film’s horror elements.
The missing persons flyers are one of the most haunting parts of the movie and including them in the credits keeps audiences on their toes until the film stops rolling. His choice makesUntil Dawnunlike other horror movies, especially in the world of video game adaptations.
Until Dawn
Cast
A group of friends ventures into a remote valley to uncover the truth behind a mysterious disappearance. They find themselves trapped in a nightmarish time loop, facing a series of ever-changing and increasingly terrifying threats.
