Until Dawn is a thrilling, interactive horror video game developed by Supermassive Games, which was released in 2015. Set in a remote mountain lodge, it follows a group of eight friends who reunite one year after a traumatic event—the disappearance of two sisters, Hannah and Beth Washington. As the night progresses, strange things begin to happen, leading to a series of terrifying events that leave the players on the edge of their seats. A central question that players must answer throughout the game is: who is the killer behind the horrifying events?
This article will explore the killer’s identity in Until Dawn, including the motives behind the murders, the twists in the narrative, and the shocking revelations that keep players guessing until the very end.
The Setup: A Night of Terror
In Until Dawn, players control various characters throughout the story. The premise of the game is a mix of slasher horror and mystery, with multiple choices influencing the direction of the narrative. The game unfolds as the friends—Sam, Josh, Mike, Emily, Matt, Ashley, Chris, and Jessica—find themselves trapped in a snowstorm at a secluded cabin in the woods. Tension rises when the group begins to experience supernatural events and physical attacks, with a constant fear that someone or something is stalking them.
The game’s atmosphere is heavily inspired by classic slasher films such as Friday the 13th and Scream. Early in the game, players are introduced to the story of the Washington sisters, Hannah and Beth, who vanished the previous year. Their disappearance remains a mystery, but a clue emerges that suggests something sinister is at play. As the night goes on, players make decisions that determine whether the characters live or die. The tension reaches a breaking point when the killer’s true identity is finally revealed.
Key Characters to Consider
Before diving into the identity of the killer, it’s important to consider the key players involved in the story. Until Dawn features a large ensemble cast, and many of the characters are under suspicion at various points in the game.
Josh Washington – The brother of the two missing sisters, Josh is emotionally devastated by the events surrounding their disappearance. He becomes a central figure in the mystery of the night. His motivations are complex, and throughout the game, it’s difficult to determine if he’s a victim of the supernatural events or if he’s hiding something darker.
Mike and Jessica – These two are among the more active characters in the game. Mike is often seen trying to protect others, while Jessica is flirtatious and carefree. Both are frequently placed in danger, and players must make decisions that can influence their survival.
Ashley and Chris – These two characters have a complex relationship, and their fate is intertwined with the overall narrative. They both have the potential to be victims or perpetrators, depending on the choices players make.
Emily and Matt – The couple that seems to be at odds with one another, Emily and Matt have their own dynamics, which play into the overall tension. They often find themselves in perilous situations that could change the course of the story.
Despite their differing personalities, all of these characters are caught up in the terrifying events of the night. The key question is: who is behind the killings, and what are their motives?
The First Major Clue: The Masked Killer
The game’s narrative begins to take shape when a masked figure appears. This figure is the first person to pose a clear threat to the group. Dressed in a creepy, ominous mask, the killer starts to stalk the friends one by one. Initially, players may suspect that this killer is a random murderer, intent on picking off the group members. However, as the story progresses, a series of unexpected twists begin to shed light on the killer’s identity.
The presence of the masked killer is one of the central mysteries of Until Dawn. They are the first person who seems to be deliberately hunting down the group, and players must decide whether to trust their instincts or follow other clues that might suggest the killer has deeper motives.
The Final Reveal: The Killer is…
As the narrative nears its climax, the killer’s identity is finally revealed: Josh Washington, the brother of the two missing sisters. This revelation shocks players who may have suspected him to be a victim of the strange happenings.
Josh is the mastermind behind the horrific events, but his motivations are more complex than simple malice. After the tragic disappearance of his sisters, Josh becomes consumed with guilt, grief, and a desire for revenge. Over the course of the year, Josh’s emotional instability grows, and he becomes increasingly obsessed with making the others feel the same fear and terror that he experienced when his sisters died.
Josh’s actions are ultimately fueled by his desire for justice and closure. However, his quest for revenge becomes twisted, and he ends up manipulating the entire group into participating in his night of terror. His motives are revealed through various conversations and hidden clues that players can discover, but the true depth of his obsession only becomes clear toward the end of the game.
The Influence of Dr. Hill
In the game, players also encounter Dr. Hill, a psychologist who appears to be treating Josh. His sessions with Josh serve as a backdrop to the psychological trauma that Josh is experiencing. While not directly involved in the murders, Dr. Hill’s influence is evident in Josh’s mental state. The doctor’s cryptic advice and questions seem to contribute to Josh’s breakdown, reinforcing the idea that Josh’s actions are not entirely his fault but are a result of his unresolved grief and emotional turmoil.
In one of the most chilling parts of the game, players discover that Dr. Hill’s therapy sessions may have contributed to Josh’s gradual descent into madness. His obsession with revenge seems to have been nurtured by the doctor’s ambiguous and troubling guidance. Whether this is a direct cause of Josh’s actions or simply a catalyst for his already present instability is left up to interpretation.
The Real Horror: The Wendigo Myth
While Josh is the main human killer, Until Dawn also introduces the terrifying presence of the Wendigo, a supernatural creature that feeds on human flesh. The Wendigo’s involvement in the story complicates the narrative and adds another layer of terror. As the night progresses, it becomes clear that the Wendigo is hunting the group, adding a supernatural element to the otherwise psychological horror.
The Wendigo myth is closely tied to the game’s backstory. It is revealed that the Washington family’s history is intertwined with the creature, and its existence is one of the driving forces behind the terror that unfolds. Josh’s actions are ultimately tied to his family’s dark past and his own obsession with finding closure. In some versions of the story, Josh’s fate becomes intertwined with that of the Wendigo, as he is ultimately consumed by the creature he once feared.
Conclusion
The killer in Until Dawn is revealed to be Josh Washington, the emotionally disturbed brother of the two missing sisters. His actions are driven by grief, guilt, and a twisted sense of revenge against those he believes are responsible for the disappearance of his sisters. Josh’s descent into madness is the ultimate source of terror in the game, and his interactions with the other characters provide the foundation for the horror that unfolds.
However, while Josh is the human killer, Until Dawn also incorporates the supernatural element of the Wendigo, which plays a significant role in the overall narrative. This combination of psychological horror and supernatural terror keeps players on edge, offering one of the most engaging and terrifying experiences in interactive horror gaming.
Ultimately, the killer in Until Dawn is not just a single entity; it is the result of a complex web of emotional trauma, revenge, and a dark family legacy that binds Josh and his victims together. The story’s depth and the multiple paths that players can take make it a truly immersive experience, where the identity of the killer is just one piece of a larger, more disturbing puzzle.
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