Netflix Enters Horror Gaming with ‘Unhinged’
Netflix has released a brand new horror game from the acclaimed team behind the Oxenfree series, and it brings some familiar voices and clever phone-based mechanics that aim to make the experience as immersive as possible. Unhinged stars Zoë Kravitz as Ava, who finds herself trapped in her apartment building as a violent storm rages outside. But she’s not alone.
A Stellar Cast Brings the Horror to Life
Sadie Sink of Stranger Things fame plays Claire, Ava’s friend who lives in a building across the street. Claire can see into Ava’s predicament and offer guidance over the phone. Video game veteran Troy Baker portrays the super of Ava’s building. While the cast is impressively star-studded, perhaps the most compelling aspect of Unhinged is what Night School Studio — the first game studio Netflix acquired — is doing with the smartphone controller setup.
Your Phone Becomes Part of the Game
Netflix says Ava’s hands mirror the movements of your phone, so you can move it around to shine her flashlight at something. Unhinged will also pipe calls and texts that Ava receives to your phone, which can ring, vibrate, and play audio. That’s far more interesting than simply using your handset as a touchscreen controller.
The phone integration goes beyond gimmickry — it genuinely enhances tension. When Ava receives a call from Claire, your phone actually rings. When a text arrives from an unknown number, your screen lights up. The line between game and reality blurs in ways that horror fans will appreciate.
Two Ways to Play
The first-person game includes a story mode for those who just want to experience the narrative without worrying about a timer. In the standard mode, there are sequences that require you to find a specific object in the room before a timer runs out. Otherwise, Ava dies and you return to the last checkpoint.
This dual approach is smart — it makes the game accessible to Netflix’s broad subscriber base while still offering tension for those who want it. The story mode removes fail states entirely, letting players experience the narrative at their own pace.
A Compact, Bite-Sized Experience
Netflix suggests this is a relatively compact experience. “All you need is a Netflix account, your phone and the same amount of time you’d need to watch an episode of your favorite show,” it said. That’s not entirely accurate — you’ll also need a TV and a solid internet connection — but the point stands. At roughly episode-length, Unhinged is designed to be completed in a single sitting.
Why This Matters for Netflix Gaming
Netflix’s gaming push has been interesting but inconsistent. The company has experimented with everything from indie darlings to mobile games based on its IP. What makes Unhinged different is how it leverages the unique capabilities of the devices people already own. Rather than trying to compete with consoles or PC gaming, Netflix is creating an experience that only makes sense in its ecosystem: play on your TV, control with your phone, streamed through a subscription you already have.
Available Now
You can check out Unhinged on Netflix starting June 30. All you need is a Netflix subscription, a compatible TV, and your smartphone. Just make sure the lights are on when you play.
