Interactive Phone Horror
Netflix Premieres 'Unhinged' First-Person Horror Game June 30, Controlled by Your Smartphone
Key Points
Unhinged uses players' smartphones as the primary controller, with real-time 1:1 movements mapped to Ava's actions and the phone's audio feeding into in-game calls/texts; players link the experience by scanning a QR code.
The narrative centers on Ava trapped inside her apartment building during a Category 5 hurricane, with her friend Claire across the street and the building itself presenting a claustrophobic, ominous threat (including a locked stairwell and unsettling signs from a neighbor).
Two playable modes are offered: Story Mode with no timer for a pure narrative experience, and Standard Mode with a shrinking timer that pressures players to quickly locate interactive objects, with typical play sessions ranging roughly 20 to 60 minutes.
The cast features Zoë Kravitz as Ava, Sadie Sink as Claire, and Troy Baker in a supporting role, developed by Night School Studio, the team behind Oxenfree; the project emphasizes a console-free, Netflix-backed narrative gaming approach.
Netflix is launching Unhinged, a first-person horror game, on June 30 — exclusively for subscribers, with no ads or in-game purchases. Developed by Night School Studio, the game stars Zoë Kravitz as Ava, a woman trapped in her apartment during a Category 5 hurricane, with Sadie Sink and Troy Baker rounding out the cast, according to Bloody Disgusting.
The game's standout feature: your smartphone is the controller. Players scan a QR code to link their phone, then use real 1:1 motion tracking to guide Ava's actions — including her flashlight. When characters call or text in the game, your actual phone rings and vibrates, according to Head Topics.
Your Phone Becomes Ava's Only Lifeline
Players start by scanning a QR code on their TV screen. This links the Netflix Game Controller app to the game running on the TV. From there, the phone becomes a 1:1 motion controller — tilt it to swing a flashlight, point it to search a room. The experience is cloud-streamed, so no console or download is needed, according to Head Topics.
The most immersive trick: in-game calls and texts hit your real phone. It rings. It vibrates. Sadie Sink, who voices Claire — Ava's friend stranded across the street — described the phone as your "only lifeline" during the game, according to the research briefing. The app requires iOS 17 or Android 10 and a solid internet connection. Early user reviews flagged lag on older Wi-Fi routers, with 36.4% of April ratings dropping to one star.
A Hurricane, a Locked Stairwell, and a Dangerous Neighbor
Unhinged traps Ava inside her apartment building as a Category 5 hurricane hits. The building is more than just a shelter — it becomes the threat. A locked stairwell cuts off escape. A neighbor sends unsettling signs. Claire watches helplessly from across the street, according to Bloody Disgusting.
Troy Baker, known for The Last of Us, plays Ben, the building's superintendent. Critics at Comic Book call it a "white-knuckle stress fest" that blends cinematic storytelling with active play. Game Director Sam Warner cited the Nintendo DS and the Wii as inspirations for the hands-on, hardware-you-already-own design.
Two Modes Let You Choose Your Level of Stress
Netflix built two ways to play. Story Mode removes all time pressure — it is a pure narrative experience for viewers who want to feel like they are watching a show. Standard Mode adds a shrinking timer that forces players to find interactive objects fast, raising the stakes with every second, according to Comic Book.
A full session runs roughly 20 to 60 minutes depending on your choices and speed. Speed-runs clock in around 30 minutes. Branching paths mean players can replay to find different outcomes. Sean Krankel, Head of Narrative Games at Netflix, said the goal is to "drag viewers closer to interactivity" by lowering the barrier for non-gamers.
Netflix Bets Big on Console-Free Gaming With This Launch
Unhinged is not Netflix's first gaming experiment. The company acquired Night School Studio — the team behind Oxenfree — back in September 2021. Its first big interactive project was Black Mirror: Bandersnatch in 2018, a branching-choice video. Unhinged is a full 3D game, a major technical step up, according to TipRanks.
The Netflix Game Controller app hit No. 1 on the Apple App Store in April 2026, surpassing ChatGPT in daily downloads, and reached over 1 million downloads. Analysts at TipRanks rate NFLX stock a "Strong Buy" with price targets showing a 57.1% upside, citing gaming as a key growth driver. If Unhinged lands well, Netflix has signaled it will build interactive games tied to franchises like Squid Game and The Witcher next.
Sentiment
Mostly PositivePublishers
17
Articles
11
Reach
28
