Horizon Movie: PlayStation's Potential Blockbuster if True to Games

Following the successful cinematic adaptations of Uncharted and The Last of Us, Sony has confirmed the development of a movie based on Horizon Zero Dawn, bringing Aloy’s origin story and the game’s vibrant, machine-filled world to the big screen. Although the project is still in its early stages, there’s a strong potential for it to become Sony’s first major video game hit at the box office, provided it remains faithful to the source material.

In recent years, video game adaptations have seen significant success. Family-friendly films like The Super Mario Brothers and Sonic have set high standards in terms of both critical acclaim and box office performance. On television, Sony’s The Last of Us, alongside Netflix’s Arcane and Amazon Prime’s Fallout, have become fan favorites. Even adaptations with mixed reviews, such as the Tom Holland-led Uncharted movie, have managed to gross over $400 million. However, the "video game curse" still lingers, with some adaptations failing to capture the essence of their original games. Examples include last year’s Borderlands film and Amazon’s Like a Dragon: Yakuza series, both of which deviated significantly from their source material, resulting in poor reception and box office performance.

This issue extends beyond video game adaptations to adaptations in general. For instance, Netflix's The Witcher has taken significant creative liberties, altering the original books’ events, characters, and tone, which has led to disappointment among fans. Adaptations must sometimes adjust for their medium, but drastic changes can alienate the core audience, potentially leading to the project’s failure.

Returning to Horizon, it’s worth noting that this isn’t the first attempt to bring the franchise to screens. Netflix had previously announced a series in 2022, with rumors of a "Horizon 2074" project set in the pre-apocalypse era. This direction was met with mixed reactions from fans, who preferred a story closer to the original game. However, those plans have been scrapped, and the focus has shifted to a cinematic release, a wise decision given the CGI demands of Horizon’s world.

If Horizon receives the same careful treatment as The Last of Us, it has a good chance of becoming PlayStation’s first major cinema success. The success of Fallout, Arcane, and The Last of Us highlights the importance of staying true to the source material in terms of visuals, tone, and story. The Last of Us, while incorporating new elements, largely adhered to the game's narrative, resonating with both fans and newcomers.

Horizon Zero Dawn's story, which won the Best Narrative award at The Game Awards 2017 and the Outstanding Achievement in Story at the 2018 DICE awards, deserves to be faithfully adapted. Set in the 31st century, it follows Aloy as she uncovers her origins and their connection to Elisabet Sobeck. The game’s world, filled with intricate cultures and settlements, and populated by robotic creatures, offers a rich tapestry for a film franchise. Much like Avatar's exploration of Na'vi tribes, a Horizon film could delve into the Nora tribe’s culture and their battles against robotic hunters. The game’s unique combat and visually stunning creatures, such as Sawtooths, Tallnecks, and Stormbirds, provide ample material for cinematic spectacle.

Horizon’s story is compelling from the start, and with its detailed world-building and cinematic aesthetics, a faithful adaptation could achieve both critical acclaim and box office success. The expanded narrative of Forbidden West offers even more potential for a long-term franchise. If the film maintains the elements that made the game successful, it could set a strong foundation for Sony’s ventures into film and TV adaptations of other titles like Ghost of Tsushima and Helldivers 2. However, straying too far from what made Horizon great could lead to the same negative reception faced by other adaptations, such as Borderlands. It is crucial for Sony and its chosen filmmakers to respect the source material and deliver an adaptation that honors Horizon’s legacy.

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