Horizon Could Be PlayStation’s Big Movie Win if It Stays Faithful to the Games

Following the successful cinematic adaptation of Uncharted in 2022 and the critically acclaimed HBO series based on The Last of Us, a Horizon Zero Dawn movie was inevitable. PlayStation Studios and Columbia Pictures have officially confirmed a film adaptation, promising a cinematic portrayal of Aloy's origin story and the game's distinctive, machine-populated world. While still in early development, the film has strong box office potential – provided it stays true to the source material.

Recent years have witnessed a surge in successful video game adaptations across various platforms. The Super Mario Bros. and Sonic movies, family-friendly hits, set a high bar for both critical reception and box office performance. On television, Sony's The Last of Us, alongside Netflix's Arcane and Amazon Prime's Fallout, are fan favorites. Even adaptations with mixed reviews have achieved financial success; the Uncharted movie, starring Tom Holland, grossed over $400 million.

However, challenges remain. While the "video game curse" is largely a thing of the past, faithfulness to the source material is crucial. Uncharted, despite its box office success, deviated significantly from the games. Conversely, the Borderlands film and Amazon's Like a Dragon: Yakuza adaptation underperformed critically and financially due to their disregard for the original storylines, lore, and tone. They failed to capture the essence of the games that captivated fans.

This isn't solely a problem with video game adaptations; it's a broader issue with adaptations in general. Netflix's The Witcher, for example, significantly altered the source material, changing events, characters, and tone. While adaptations require adjustments, these examples demonstrate a complete departure from the original work. This can deeply disappoint fans – the core audience – and ultimately doom the project.

The upcoming Horizon movie isn't the first attempt at bringing the franchise to the screen. Netflix previously announced a series, and rumors circulated about a "Horizon 2074" project set in the pre-apocalypse era. This proved divisive among fans, who desired a faithful adaptation of the game's acclaimed storyline and iconic robotic creatures, absent in a pre-apocalypse setting. Thankfully, the Netflix project is defunct, and the focus has shifted to a theatrical release. The increased budget of a Hollywood film is essential to realize the game's visual potential.

If the Horizon film emulates the success of The Last of Us, it could be PlayStation's first major cinematic triumph. The success of Fallout, Arcane, and The Last of Us demonstrates the importance of authenticity. These adaptations were lauded for their faithfulness to visuals, tone, and narrative. Gamers value authentic storytelling. While The Last of Us introduced new elements, it remained true to the game's core narrative structure, resonating with both existing fans and newcomers. A similar approach for Horizon could yield similar results.

Faithfulness to the source material isn't merely about fan service; Horizon Zero Dawn's narrative is critically acclaimed, winning awards for its storytelling. Set in 31st-century North America, it follows Aloy's journey to uncover her origins and their connection to Elisabet Sobeck, her doppelganger. Aloy, along with Erend and Varl, are compelling characters, and their relationships are richly developed across both Horizon games. The story's exploration of climate change and a rogue AI is equally captivating, as is the enigmatic Sylens.

The intricate world-building, with its diverse tribes and settlements, creates a unique and immersive setting. Similar to Avatar's exploration of Na'vi culture, a Horizon film could delve into the tribes' survival strategies against the robotic hunters. The unique combat encounters, featuring creatures like Sawtooths, Tallnecks, and Stormbirds, offer visually stunning potential. These elements, along with rival tribes and the rogue AI Hades, create a thrilling narrative ripe for cinematic adaptation.

Horizon's compelling story, combined with its unique world and cinematic aesthetic, positions it for significant success. The expansive narrative of Forbidden West further enhances the franchise's potential. A careful adaptation could create a long-lasting film franchise mirroring the game's success.

Success hinges on preserving the elements that made the game so popular. With other PlayStation titles, such as Ghost of Tsushima and Helldivers 2, slated for adaptation, a successful Horizon film would establish PlayStation's dominance in this new medium. However, deviating from what made Horizon great could lead to negative fan reception and financial setbacks. Sony must recognize the potential and create a faithful adaptation.

What video game adaptation are you most excited for?

Horizon Zero DawnHelldivers 2Ghost of TsushimaThe Legend of ZeldaA Minecraft MovieUntil DawnGears of WarOther (let us know in the comments)AnswerSee Results