Netflix Unveils ‘Unhinged’
A Horror Game That Calls and Texts Your Phone
News Desk
24 June 2026, 15:43
Netflix is expanding its gaming ambitions with the launch of Unhinged, a new interactive horror experience that uses players' smartphones in unusual ways to make the game feel more personal and immersive.
Developed by Night School Studio, the team behind the acclaimed Oxenfree series, Unhinged combines psychological horror, cinematic storytelling, and real-world smartphone interactions in an effort to create a more engaging experience than traditional streaming-based games. The title is set to launch on June 30 for Netflix subscribers.
A Hurricane, a Locked Apartment, and a Growing Nightmare
In Unhinged, players take on the role of Ava, voiced by Zoë Kravitz, who finds herself trapped inside her apartment building as a powerful hurricane tears through the city. As the storm intensifies, Ava discovers she may not be alone inside the building.
Helping guide her through the unfolding mystery is Claire, a friend living across the street and voiced by Sadie Sink. Claire communicates with Ava remotely, watching events unfold from her own apartment and offering advice as players navigate the increasingly dangerous situation. Veteran video game actor Troy Baker also joins the cast as the building superintendent.
Your Phone Becomes Part of the Horror
The most distinctive feature of Unhinged is its use of the player's smartphone as more than just a controller. Netflix says the game mirrors the physical movements of the player's phone. Moving the device directs Ava's flashlight, allowing players to investigate dark rooms and search for clues through natural motions.
The game also sends in-world phone calls and text messages directly to the player's smartphone. Incoming calls cause the phone to ring, vibrate, and play audio, creating the sensation that events are happening beyond the television screen. This approach aims to blur the line between the game world and reality, making players feel more directly connected to the story.
Story Mode and Survival Challenges
For players primarily interested in the narrative, Unhinged includes a dedicated Story Mode that removes time pressure and allows users to focus on the mystery and character interactions. The standard gameplay mode introduces additional tension through timed challenges.
During certain moments, players must locate specific objects before a countdown expires. Failure to complete the objective results in Ava's death and sends players back to the most recent checkpoint. The mechanic adds urgency to exploration while maintaining the game's cinematic focus.
Netflix Continues Expanding Its Gaming Strategy
Unhinged is another significant release from Netflix Games and highlights the company's ongoing investment in interactive entertainment. Night School Studio became Netflix's first game studio acquisition in 2021, and the company has since expanded its gaming catalog with titles tied to original franchises as well as independent projects.
Unlike many traditional video games that require lengthy time commitments, Netflix describes Unhinged as a compact experience that can be completed in roughly the time it takes to watch an episode of a television series.
A New Direction for Interactive Horror
While horror games frequently rely on atmosphere, jump scares, and immersive audio, Unhinged takes the concept further by integrating the player's personal device into the experience itself. The use of real phone calls, text messages, motion controls, and a star-studded cast could help distinguish the title in an increasingly crowded gaming market.
Whether the experiment succeeds remains to be seen, but Unhinged represents one of Netflix's most ambitious attempts yet to merge streaming-style storytelling with interactive gameplay. For horror fans looking for something different, the game may offer a glimpse into how future interactive experiences could extend beyond the screen and into the devices people use every day.
