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 faithful recreation of Aloy's journey and the game's breathtaking, machine-populated world. While still in early development, the film has the potential to be Sony's first major video game box office triumph—provided it stays true to its source material.

Recent years have witnessed a surge in successful video game adaptations across film and television. The Super Mario Bros. and Sonic movies, both family-friendly hits, set a high bar for critical acclaim 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 box office success; the Uncharted film, 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 audience appeal, deviated significantly from the games. Conversely, Borderlands and Amazon's Like a Dragon: Yakuza adaptation suffered from poor critical and box office performance due to their disregard for the original storylines, lore, and tone.

These failures highlight a broader issue with adaptations in general. Netflix's The Witcher, for instance, significantly altered the source material, changing events, characters, and overall tone. While adaptations require adjustments, these examples demonstrate a complete departure from the original. This disappoints fans—the pre-existing audience—and often foreshadows the project's failure.

The Horizon movie isn't the first attempt at bringing the franchise to screen. A Netflix series was announced in 2022, with rumors of a "Horizon 2074" prequel set before the apocalypse. This concept proved divisive among fans, who desired a faithful adaptation of the original game's successful storyline and iconic robotic creatures, a feature absent in a pre-apocalyptic setting. Fortunately, the Netflix project was cancelled, and the focus shifted to a theatrical release. This is a strategic move, as the larger budget of a Hollywood film is essential to realizing the game's stunning visuals.

If the Horizon film emulates the success of The Last of Us, it could be PlayStation's first major cinematic win. The success of Fallout, Arcane, and The Last of Us demonstrates the importance of faithfulness to the source material—not just visually, but also in terms of tone and narrative. While The Last of Us introduced new storylines, it largely preserved the narrative structure of the games, resonating with both fans and newcomers.

Faithfulness to the original game isn't merely about fan expectations. Horizon Zero Dawn won Best Narrative at The Game Awards 2017 and Outstanding Achievement in Story at the 2018 DICE Awards, highlighting the quality of its narrative. Set in 31st-century North America, it follows Aloy's journey of self-discovery and her connection to the old-world scientist, Elisabet Sobeck. Aloy, along with her allies Erend and Varl, are compelling characters, and the exploration of humanity's attempts to save Earth's climate adds depth. The mysterious Sylens further enriches the narrative.

The intricate worldbuilding, with its diverse tribes and settlements, creates a unique and immersive experience. Similar to James Cameron's Avatar, a Horizon film could explore the cultures and traditions of the various tribes, their struggles against the robotic creatures, and the unique combat encounters featuring iconic machines like Sawtooths, Tallnecks, and Stormbirds. These elements provide ample opportunities for exciting action and suspense.

Horizon's compelling story, if adapted faithfully, has the potential for both critical and box office success. Its unique world, timely themes, and cinematic aesthetic offer a rich foundation for a compelling film franchise. The expansive story of Forbidden West provides further potential for a long-term franchise. Sony has a significant opportunity to create a film franchise that matches the success of its source material.

A successful adaptation requires preserving the elements that made the game a success. With other Sony titles like Ghost of Tsushima and Helldivers 2 slated for film and TV adaptations, this approach would establish PlayStation's success in a new medium. However, deviating from what made Horizon great could result in negative fan feedback and financial difficulties. Let's hope Sony and its creative team recognize the potential and deliver a faithful and successful adaptation.

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