Netflix expands gaming portfolio with 'Unhinged', leveraging smartphone integration for horror title
The new horror game requires a TV, stable internet, and a smartphone to control the protagonist’s flashlight and receive in-game communications, marking a distinct shift in interactive entertainment mechanics.
Netflix has officially launched 'Unhinged', a new horror game developed by Night School, the developer behind the critically acclaimed 'Oxenfree' series. As the first game studio acquired by the streaming giant, Night School is establishing its presence in the interactive media space with this title, which stars Zoë Kravitz, Sadie Sink, and Troy Baker. The game becomes available to stream on Netflix from 30 June 2026.
The narrative centres on Ava, played by Kravitz, who finds herself trapped in an apartment building during a hurricane. Her friend Claire, portrayed by Sink, resides in a building across the street and provides guidance via phone. Troy Baker voices the building’s superintendent. The plot relies heavily on communication, with the game utilising the player’s physical smartphone to enhance immersion.
Unlike traditional touchscreen controllers, 'Unhinged' requires players to use their mobile devices as functional tools within the game world. The smartphone controls the protagonist’s flashlight, with Ava’s hand movements mirroring the player’s device orientation. Additionally, in-game calls and text messages are piped directly to the player’s phone, triggering real-world audio cues such as ringing and vibration to heighten the tension.
The experience is structured into two distinct modes. A story mode allows players to focus on the narrative without time pressure. Alternatively, a regular mode introduces timed challenges where players must locate specific objects before a timer expires; failure results in the protagonist’s death and a return to the last checkpoint.
Netflix describes the title as a compact experience, suggesting it takes approximately the same amount of time to complete as watching a single episode of a television series. To play, users require a Netflix account, a television, a solid internet connection, and a smartphone. The release marks a significant step in Netflix’s strategy to diversify its content offerings beyond traditional video programming.
