Netflix's latest major release, Unhinged, is not a film or series but an exclusive interactive horror game developed by Night School Studio. The game stars Zoë Kravitz (Catwoman in The Batman), Sadie Sink (Stranger Things), and Troy Baker (voice of Joel in The Last of Us). It launches on Tuesday, June 30, exclusively on Netflix, with no ads or in-game purchases.
What is Unhinged?
Unhinged is a narrative-driven horror game where players control Ava, a woman trapped in her apartment building during a Category 5 hurricane. Her only contact is a phone call with her best friend Claire (Sadie Sink), who lives across the street. The building's stairwell is locked, and a wellness check on a neighbour reveals disturbing signs of life. Ava soon realises she is not alone. The game uses the player's phone as a controller, syncing real-world movements with Ava's flashlight and delivering calls and texts directly through the phone's speaker while environmental sounds play through the TV.
Cast and Creators
Zoë Kravitz voices Ava, the protagonist. Sadie Sink voices Claire, Ava's best friend. Troy Baker plays Ben, the apartment building super. The game is developed by Night School Studio, founded by former Disney Interactive and Telltale developers and acquired by Netflix in 2021. The studio is known for critically acclaimed titles like Oxenfree and its 2023 sequel, as well as Afterparty and Thronglets, the latter tied to Black Mirror's seventh season.
Gameplay and Difficulty Options
Players use their phone as a controller by scanning a QR code from the Netflix Games tab. The phone tracks real-world movements to guide Ava's flashlight. When Ava receives a call or text, the player's phone rings, vibrates, and plays audio, while TV speakers handle environmental sounds. Two difficulty modes are available: Story Mode offers a pure narrative experience with no timers or death, while Standard Mode introduces a shrinking timer bar during high-stakes moments, requiring quick scanning for interactive objects or restarting from the last checkpoint.
Release and Availability
Unhinged will be playable from Tuesday, June 30, exclusively on Netflix. It can be accessed through the Games tab on the platform, available via browser, phone app, or television.
