Is the Curator in Until Dawn?

Many fans of interactive horror games often wonder about the connections between characters across different titles from Supermassive Games. One of the recurring questions revolves around the mysterious figure known as the Curator, a character that appears in The Dark Pictures Anthology. With his calm demeanor and ominous insights, players are curious: is the Curator in Until Dawn? While both games share similar themes, gameplay structures, and narrative styles, the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.

Understanding the Curator

The Curator is a central figure in The Dark Pictures Anthology, serving as a narrator and guide. He is portrayed by actor Pip Torrens and is known for his cryptic commentary, classical surroundings, and tendency to break the fourth wall by speaking directly to the player. He appears in every game within the anthology, including Man of Medan, Little Hope, House of Ashes, and The Devil in Me, acting as a storyteller who observes the players’ choices and occasionally offers hints.

The Curator does not interfere directly with the plot but instead watches from the sidelines, recording and commenting on the unfolding events. His role is vital in creating the eerie and introspective tone of the series. Because of his popularity and mysterious nature, many fans assume or hope that he appears in earlier titles like Until Dawn.

Overview of Until Dawn

Until Dawn is a 2015 narrative-driven horror game developed by Supermassive Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It follows a group of young adults who are trapped in a mountain lodge and must survive a night of terror filled with supernatural and psychological threats. The game is known for its butterfly effect mechanic, which changes the outcome of the story based on player choices.

Unlike The Dark Pictures Anthology, Until Dawn does not feature a narrator like the Curator. However, it does include a character who somewhat resembles that function: Dr. Hill, a psychiatrist portrayed by Peter Stormare. Dr. Hill appears in therapy-like sessions between chapters, speaking directly to the player and influencing the tone of the story depending on responses.

Dr. Hill vs. the Curator

Because of his role and how he interacts with the player, Dr. Hill is often compared to the Curator. Both characters:

• Break the fourth wall and speak directly to the player
• Appear in separate, stylized environments detached from the main story
• Comment on the player’s choices and behavior
• Offer thematic insight rather than direct involvement in events

Despite these similarities, Dr. Hill and the Curator are entirely different characters, played by different actors and designed with distinct narrative functions. Dr. Hill is a character within the plot of Until Dawn, whose presence is linked to the psychological struggles of the protagonist, particularly Josh. The Curator, in contrast, exists outside the events of any single story and serves more as a framing device for the anthology series.

Is There a Direct Connection?

Officially, there is no direct connection between the Curator and Until Dawn. The games are set in different universes, and the characters are not shared between them. While they were both created by Supermassive Games, Until Dawn is a standalone title, while the Curator belongs exclusively to The Dark Pictures Anthology.

Some fans theorize that the Curator could exist in a broader multiverse of horror stories, possibly watching all human narratives unfold. However, there is no canonical evidence within the games that links him directly to the events of Until Dawn. The developers have not confirmed any relationship between the two characters or series, and any similarities are likely thematic rather than narrative.

Thematic and Stylistic Parallels

Even if the Curator is not in Until Dawn, the game does share many stylistic elements with the Dark Pictures series. This includes:

• A branching narrative with consequences tied to player choice
• A small cast of characters whose survival is in the player’s hands
• A mix of psychological horror and physical threats
• Moments of direct address to the player, breaking traditional storytelling boundaries

These shared mechanics and themes are part of Supermassive Games’ signature style. The resemblance between Dr. Hill and the Curator likely reflects the studio’s interest in exploring meta-narrative devices, where players are not just controlling characters but are themselves being observed and judged by in-game entities.

Why the Confusion Exists

There are a few reasons why players might believe the Curator appears in Until Dawn:

• The visual and tonal similarities between Dr. Hill and the Curator
• The presence of narrative interludes where the player is addressed directly
• The shared developer and consistent horror style between both games
• Fan speculation and online discussions that blur the lines between game universes

Despite these factors, the Curator is absent from Until Dawn. His first appearance is in Man of Medan, the initial title in The Dark Pictures Anthology released in 2019, four years after Until Dawn.

Could the Curator Appear in a Future Until Dawn Remake?

Given the popularity of the Curator and the ongoing success of Supermassive’s horror franchises, it’s not impossible that future remakes or spiritual successors could reference or even include him. A hypothetical remastered edition of Until Dawn might add new scenes or framing devices that nod toward the Dark Pictures format.

However, unless such a change is officially made, the Curator remains absent from the original Until Dawn experience. Any connection between the two characters is interpretive, left to fan theories and personal headcanons rather than confirmed lore.

The Curator is not a character in Until Dawn. While similarities between him and Dr. Hill exist in tone and narrative function, they are separate figures from different games with different roles. The confusion is understandable, especially since both characters fulfill the role of commentator and guide. But from a story and development standpoint, they belong to different creative projects under the same developer.

For players who enjoy the presence of a mysterious narrator in their horror games, both Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology offer compelling versions of that concept. But if you’re specifically looking for the Curator, you won’t find him in Until Dawn. You’ll need to look to the anthology series where he continues to watch, judge, and reflect on your every decision.