Mumbai: Netflix is continuing its push into interactive entertainment with the launch of Unhinged, a cinematic horror game that transforms a television into a gaming screen while using a smartphone as the controller. Available to Netflix subscribers from June 30, the title has been developed by Night School Studio, the acclaimed developer behind Oxenfree and Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, which joined Netflix through its acquisition of the studio.
The release follows the debut of FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition, underscoring Netflix’s ambition to evolve beyond streaming films and series into interactive gaming experiences available directly within its platform.
A Story-Driven Horror Experience
Unhinged follows Ava, voiced by actor Zoë Kravitz, who awakens inside a dark apartment building during a devastating hurricane. As power outages plunge the building into darkness, Ava must navigate its eerie corridors while uncovering unsettling mysteries and searching for a way to escape.
Throughout the journey, she remains connected to her best friend Claire, voiced by Sadie Sink, and the building’s superintendent Ben, voiced by renowned voice actor Troy Baker. Players guide Ava through tense situations, make key decisions and unravel the unfolding mystery while confronting unseen dangers lurking within the building.
Rather than offering a traditional action-heavy game, Netflix describes Unhinged as an interactive experience that feels closer to participating in a suspenseful television episode, with a complete playthrough lasting roughly the length of a single TV drama.
Smartphone Becomes the Controller
One of the game’s most distinctive features is its control system. Instead of requiring a dedicated gaming console or controller, players simply need a compatible television, a smartphone and an active Netflix subscription.
After launching the game from the Netflix Games section on a TV, users scan a QR code displayed on the screen to pair their smartphone. The phone then functions as the controller, with its motion controls allowing players to direct Ava’s flashlight as they explore the darkened environment.
Netflix has also introduced an immersive split-audio feature. Whenever Ava receives a phone call or text message during gameplay, those alerts play directly through the player’s smartphone using vibrations, ringtones and notification sounds. Meanwhile, environmental audio, music and atmospheric effects continue through the television, creating a more immersive and cinematic horror experience.
Two Gameplay Options
Unhinged offers two modes designed to suit different play styles.
Story Mode focuses entirely on the narrative by removing time limits and eliminating player death, allowing users to experience the unfolding mystery without gameplay pressure.
Standard Mode introduces timed challenges during high-tension moments. Players must quickly search their surroundings and interact with the correct objects before the countdown expires. Failure results in Ava’s death, though the game resumes from the most recent checkpoint rather than restarting from the beginning.
Netflix’s Growing Gaming Ambitions
The launch of Unhinged reflects Netflix’s broader strategy of expanding its gaming ecosystem alongside its streaming service. By integrating games directly into its platform and experimenting with smartphone-based controls, the company is lowering the barrier to entry for subscribers who may not own dedicated gaming hardware.
Following the release of FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition earlier this year, Unhinged becomes another example of Netflix’s efforts to blend interactive storytelling with accessible gameplay. As the company continues investing in original gaming experiences, it is positioning its platform as more than just a destination for films and television—offering subscribers new ways to engage with stories through interactive entertainment.
