Adapting books for the screen is never an easy task, but sometimes films recreate iconic characters in a way that surpasses the original. Most of the time, even the best book adaptations never come close to surpassing the original, but occasionally there’s a rare gem that seemingly manages to achieve the impossible. With so many great books yet to be adapted for the screen, there is potential for new stories to do the same.
Books have always been Hollywood’s preferred choice for adaptations, but the number of book adaptations in film, TV, and streaming has increased in the modern era. The length of a book series typically translates better to the TV format, as it allows for more characterization to be brought to the screen, more closely reflecting character development than a 300-page novel allows. This makes it even more impressive that some films surpass their source material, able to improve on the book’s characters, even with such limited runtimes.
10
Marcos Watney
The Martian (2015)
The Martian, Both the book and the film were a surprise, both because of the limited characters used in the story and the true science behind the survival story at the center of the narrative. The main character, Mark Watney, is a botanist who accompanies a NASA team on a manned mission to Mars. However, when a dust storm hits their base of operations, Watney is stranded while the rest of the team returns home.
In the book, the character Mark Watney is incredibly analytical and not very relatable. He has to be if he wants to survive on a planet that is, for all intents and purposes, hostile to him. The film reduces the scientific jargon that is exhaustively explained by Watney in the novel and gives him more personality, highlighting his dryly humorous attitude and self-confidence.
9
Emily Nelson
A Simple Favor (2018)
When A simple favor originally released, no one expected the film to be as good a satire of the mystery genre as it was. Following single mother and vlogger Stephanie Smothers, the film examines her growing friendship with the mysterious Emily Nelson, a businesswoman who is the mother of one of Stephanie’s son’s classmates. The film’s mystery begins when Emily disappears, taking Stephanie down an unexpected path.
The film A simple favor puts a chilling twist on Emily’s character that cements her place as a villain much better than the book originally did. In the film, it is clear that Emily killed her sister, Faith. This is never compromised in the book, and because the movie went so far, they made Emily much more of a villain than she was in the original book.
8
Anton Chigurh
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Author Cormac McCarthy is best known for his desperate themes and distinctive writing cadence, elements incorporated into many of his books, such as Blood Meridian and The road. There is no country for old people is no different, offering a dark look at the character of Anton Chigurh, a murderer who becomes the perfect vehicle for analyzing themes of human greed and violence. While these themes are present in the book, the film takes them a step further, offering even more analysis by altering some key events.
For example, in both the book and film versions There is no country for old people, Chigurh takes on the task of taking a sum of money. Although this isn’t explored much in the novel, as Chigurh eventually returns the money, the film makes it seem like he keeps it, but he also makes an effort to hide it from Sheriff Bell. Chigurh’s selfishness makes him a more complicated and more human character, holding up a shining mirror for humanity as a whole.
7
Paulo Atreides
Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024)
THE Dune franchise has been receiving new installments since the release of the original Dune film in 1984, although the novel was released much earlier, dating back to 1965. Branching out into a larger series, Dune follows Paul Atreides’ rise to power as the messianic figure, the “Lisan al-Gaib”, beginning with the planet Arrakis and extending his influence to the galaxy as a whole. In the books, Paul is loved, but in Villeneuve’s films he is a complete ladies’ man.
In a specific choice by the director, Paul is much more cruel in the films, especially Dune: Part Two, than he is in the original book. The 1965 novel portrays him as a lovable and reluctant Messiah, becoming a member of the Fremen before fighting on their behalf. Although he initially struggles with his destiny, the film shows Paul indulging in this power-hungry position, further complicating his character and subsequently placing the blame on his shoulders for the actions he would later take.
6
Hannibal Lecter
Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Hannibal Lecter is one of the most iconic fictional serial killers of all time, appearing in film and television adaptations of the source material. Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of the character in Silence of the Lambs is by far the most famous, with Mads Mikkelsen’s version in Hannibal being a close second. However Hannibal is well known for the liberties it takes with the original property, Silence of the Lambs made his own changes to the character that transformed Hannibal into the horrific figure fans know today.
The focus on Hannibal’s relationship with Clarice not only helps show how manipulative he is as a character, but also adds a horrible element of tension surrounding Hannibal that wasn’t as present in the original novel.
Although the novel delves deeper into Hannibal Lecter’s mind than the film has time for, the film makes the incredible decision to focus on his chilling dynamic with Clarice Starling. This is emphasized several times throughout the film, both in his visits to Hannibal and on other occasions. The focus on Hannibal’s relationship with Clarice not only helps show how manipulative he is as a character, but also adds a horrible element of tension surrounding Hannibal that wasn’t as present in the original novel.
5
Dr. Ian Malcolm
Jurassic Park (1993)
Dr. Ian Malcolm is one of the most iconic characters in Jurassic Park, both due to a careful script and a passionate performance from actor Jeff Goldblum. The original film is full of memorable character moments, including a quotable monologue about the state of scientific discovery that feels relevant even today. However, where the scientist was attentive, flirty, and a little sarcastic in the film, he had a very different characterization in the original novel.
In the original Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, Dr. Malcolm is used primarily for exposition. He is long-winded and a bit bland, portrayed as a coward who would leave children behind to fend off dinosaurs and save himself.. Malcolm ends up being killed in the book, but in the film he is only injured, which allows him to reappear in subsequent films, much to the films’ benefit.
4
Don Corleone
The Godfather (1972)
Often considered one of the best films of all time, The godfather focuses on the Corleone family, a family that became known in the criminal world as a mafia family. The main character, Michael, is a newcomer to the family, juxtaposed with the powerful Don Vito Corleone family. Marlon Brando’s performance in Vito is the definitive version of the character that has cemented itself in the public’s mind for decades.
In the original book, Vito is incredibly cold, even towards his own family. This changes in the film, as although he is still a cold mob boss, he still presents himself as someone who loves his family, improving his character by further complicating his relationship with his family. If he truly loves his family, then the extremes he later goes to, both for them and to keep the money coming in, become even more attractive.
3
Rick Deckard
Blade Runner (1982)
The original Blade runner film is based on the novel Do androids dream of electric sheep? Both the film and the novel follow Rick Deckard as he hunts replicants, androids that bear a striking resemblance to humanity, and seeks to answer the question of whether or not they should be considered human. However, the Blade runner the film portrays Rick Deckard very differently from the book.
This becomes clear throughout the film, but it is perhaps most obvious in the final moments, when Deckard confronts Roy, a replicant that Deckard has been pursuing with the aim of ending his life. In the film, Roy saves Deckard from falling to his death before giving a beautiful speech about what it means to be alive and then passing away peacefully. Instead, the book shows Deckard shooting him, engaging much less with this central issue and making Deckard a less sympathetic character.
2
Tyler Durden/The Narrator
Fight Club (1999)
Fight ClubThe film adaptation of makes important changes to the original book, while also being an incredible work in its own right. One of the biggest twists in movie history was that The Narrator and Tyler Durden were always the same person. While this was present in the original book, the path to this conclusion and the eventual way the ending is presented in Fight Club are incredibly different.
The film’s iconic ending sees Tyler Durden end his own life in a shocking way, subsequently erasing him entirely from the Narrator’s mind. This is why he stops seeing Tyler, essentially ending their influence and their connection. This ending is not present in the novel, and its editing added context not only to Tyler’s character, as he was willing to do this, but also to his relationship with the Narrator as part of his mind.
1
Patrick Bateman
American Psycho (2000)
With a narrative that revolves around the mind and actions of a serial killer, the story of American Psycho manages to be both a compelling horror film and a scathing satire of the Wall Street elite. THE American Psycho the film makes several changes from the original novel, both good and bad. Some of the best changes in the novel come to the character Patrick Bateman himself, changing his psychology and adding some mystery to the film.
Throughout the film, Bateman is seen killing indiscriminately with little explanation.. It’s more open character in the film, ambiguous as to why he does what he does. The novel leaves nothing to the imagination in this regard, thoroughly explaining Bateman’s psychology to the detriment of the novel, as it takes away some of the fear of the unknown that accompanies a villain like Bateman.