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 The Last of Us, a film adaptation of Horizon Zero Dawn was inevitable. PlayStation Studios and Columbia Pictures have officially confirmed a movie is in development, bringing Aloy's captivating origin story and the game's vibrant, machine-filled world to the big screen. While still in early stages, this adaptation has the potential to be Sony's first major video game box office triumph—provided it stays true to the source material.

Recent years have witnessed a surge in successful video game adaptations across film and television. Family-friendly hits like the Super Mario Bros. and Sonic movies set a high bar for both critical acclaim and box office revenue. On television, Sony's The Last of Us joins Netflix's Arcane and Amazon Prime's Fallout as fan favorites. Even adaptations with mixed reviews have achieved box office success, as evidenced by the Tom Holland-led Uncharted film, which grossed over $400 million.

Despite the decline of the "video game curse," challenges remain. While Uncharted found its audience, it wasn't the faithful adaptation many fans hoped for. Conversely, last year's Borderlands film and Amazon's Like a Dragon: Yakuza series suffered from poor critical and box office performance, largely due to their disregard for the source material's storylines, lore, and overall tone. These adaptations failed to capture the essence of the games that captivated their fans.

These failures highlight a broader issue with adaptations in general. Netflix's The Witcher, for example, took significant liberties with its source material, altering events, characters, and overall tone. While adaptations often require changes to suit a new medium, these examples feel like entirely different creations. This can deeply disappoint fans of the original work—the pre-built audience crucial for an adaptation's success—and ultimately signal the project's potential downfall.

The announced Horizon movie isn't the first attempt to bring the game to screens. In 2022, Netflix announced a series, and rumors circulated about a "Horizon 2074" project set in the pre-apocalypse. This direction, while unconfirmed, proved divisive among fans who desired a faithful adaptation of the original game's compelling narrative and iconic robotic creatures. Fortunately, that Netflix project is no longer in development, and the focus has shifted to a theatrical release.

Given the extensive CGI required for Horizon's visuals, a feature film's larger budget is crucial to realizing the story and world's full potential. If the film receives the same care and attention as The Last of Us series, it has the potential to be PlayStation's first major cinematic win.

Horizon's success extends beyond its robotic creatures. The positive reception of Fallout, Arcane, and The Last of Us demonstrates the importance of faithful adaptations that honor the source material's visuals, tone, and story. Gamers value authenticity. While The Last of Us introduced new storylines, it largely adhered to the game's narrative structure, resonating with both fans and newcomers. Similarly, a faithful Horizon adaptation could achieve similar success.

Faithfulness isn't just about fan expectations; it's about respecting a compelling story. Horizon Zero Dawn won several awards for its narrative, showcasing its high quality. Set in 31st-century North America, the game follows Aloy, a member of the Nora Tribe, as she unravels the mysteries of her origins and their connection to the old-world scientist Elisabet Sobeck, her doppelganger. Aloy, along with her allies Erend and Varl, are compelling characters, and their relationships are richly developed throughout the games. The story also explores humanity's attempts to save Earth's climate and the emergence of the rogue AI Hades, creating a captivating and mysterious world.

The intricate details of each community and settlement Aloy encounters create a unique and immersive world ripe for cinematic adaptation. Similar to James Cameron's Avatar, a Horizon film could delve into the cultures and traditions of tribes like the Nora. The game's unique combat encounters, featuring creatures like Sawtooths, Tallnecks, and Stormbirds, offer visually stunning potential. These elements, along with rival tribes and those loyal to Hades, ensure action and suspense, providing compelling challenges for Aloy and her allies on the big screen.

Horizon's compelling story, unique world, and cinematic aesthetic have the potential for critical and box office success. The expansive narrative of Forbidden West provides a vast canvas for a long-term film franchise. By preserving the elements that made the game a success, a compelling adaptation can be created. This approach could set PlayStation up for success in the film and television industry, paving the way for adaptations of other titles like Ghost of Tsushima and Helldivers 2. However, deviating from what made Horizon great could lead to negative fan reception and financial difficulties. Sony must recognize the potential of this franchise and create a faithful adaptation.