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 Horizon movie was inevitable. PlayStation Studios and Columbia Pictures have officially confirmed a film adaptation of Horizon Zero Dawn, bringing Aloy's origin story and the game's stunning, machine-filled world to the big screen. While still in early development, I'm confident this could be Sony's first major video game box office triumph—if it stays true to the source material.

Recent years have witnessed several successful video game adaptations on both the big and small screen. The Super Mario Bros. and Sonic films, aimed at family audiences, are gold standards for critical acclaim and box office success. 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, like the Tom Holland-led Uncharted, which 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, while popular, deviated significantly from the games. Conversely, Borderlands and Amazon's Like a Dragon: Yakuza series underperformed critically and at the box office due to their disregard for the original games' storylines, lore, and tone. They failed to capture the essence of the worlds fans loved.

These failures highlight a broader issue with adaptations. Netflix's The Witcher significantly altered the books' events, characters, and tone. While adaptations require changes, these examples feel like entirely different products. This disappoints fans—the pre-existing audience—and often foreshadows failure.

The Horizon movie isn't the first attempt at a screen adaptation. In 2022, Netflix announced a series, and rumors circulated about a "Horizon 2074" project set in the pre-apocalypse. This polarized fans who desired a faithful adaptation of the original game's successful story and iconic robotic creatures. Fortunately, the Netflix project is defunct, and Horizon is now a feature film. This is a smart move; the larger budget allows for the visual spectacle the story demands.

If the Horizon film emulates the success of The Last of Us, it has a strong chance of being PlayStation's first 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 in tone and story. Gamers value authenticity. The Last of Us, while adding new elements, largely preserved the game's narrative structure, resonating with fans and newcomers alike. A similar approach for Horizon could yield similar results.

Faithfulness isn't just about fan service; Horizon Zero Dawn won numerous awards for its narrative. Set in 31st-century North America, it follows Aloy's journey to uncover her origins and their connection to Elisabet Sobeck. Aloy, Erend, Varl, and the enigmatic Sylens are compelling characters within a captivating world that explores themes of environmental disaster and artificial intelligence.

The intricate worldbuilding, with diverse tribes and robotic creatures like Sawtooths, Tallnecks, and Stormbirds, offers incredible visual potential. This rich tapestry of storytelling requires minimal alterations for cinematic adaptation. Like Avatar's exploration of Na'vi culture, a Horizon film could delve into the Nora tribe and their interactions with the machines. The unique combat encounters would translate seamlessly to the screen.

Horizon's compelling story, if adapted faithfully, has the potential for critical and box office success. Its unique world, timely themes, and cinematic aesthetic offer a strong foundation. The expansive story of Forbidden West provides ample material for a long-term franchise. Sony has a significant opportunity to create a film franchise that matches the success of the games. By preserving the elements that made the games successful, a compelling adaptation is possible. With more Sony titles slated for adaptation (Ghost of Tsushima, Helldivers 2), this approach could establish PlayStation's dominance in a new medium. However, deviating from what made Horizon great risks negative fan reaction and financial difficulties.