Netflix’s next horror game ‘Unhinged’ is an interactive TV experience

Netflix is expanding its gaming initiative with a new horror title, “Unhinged,” launching on June 30. Developed by Night School Studio, which Netflix acquired in 2021 and is known for “Oxenfree,” the game is a first-person horror experience that takes less than an hour to complete. It is built for TV and uses the player’s smartphone as a controller.

The story follows Ava, a young woman trapped in her apartment building during a storm with a killer on the loose. Players do not directly control Ava; instead, they make choices by pointing their phone’s flashlight to select paths or interact with objects. The phone also serves as Ava’s in-game device, receiving calls from her friend and super, voiced by Zoë Kravitz, Sadie Sink, and Troy Baker.

The game was streamlined from a more complex original concept. Earlier versions included direct character control and branching dialogue, but these were removed to fit the TV platform. The result is a fast-paced, linear horror ride designed to be consumable in one sitting. Night School cofounder Sean Krankel said the goal was to make it as accessible as a movie or TV show, with simple controls that anyone can pick up.

“Unhinged” is also meant to be watched as much as played, creating a communal experience similar to watching a Netflix series. The developers hope it will generate viral reactions on social media.