Notice! This article contains spoilers for the Chronicles of Narnia book series.The original book series, The Chronicles of Narniawritten by C.S. Lewis in the 1950s, it’s an enduring classic for a reason. However, some of the older themes and darker elements make it difficult to adapt to the screen. Greta Gerwig is set to direct the first two films of the upcoming Netflix adaptation, but Disney’s first cinematic iterations ran into thematic problems in the early 2000s. While Lewis kept his plot development consistent and adhered to the rules he created for Narnia, that doesn’t mean every choice will connect with modern audiences.
There are many problems with The Chronicles of Narnia that Gerwig’s films should fix, but the final ending of the last book in the series, The last battleit would be divisive if the movies don’t change it. It remains to be seen whether the new Narnia the films will be a success and will adapt all seven novels in the series. However, if the films reach The last battlethe creative team will have to decide whether they want to change Lewis’ vision or risk upsetting the audience. Although the end of The Chronicles of Narnia isn’t exactly sad, it’s a complex and bittersweet conclusion that would polarize viewers unfamiliar with the books.
The Chronicles of the End of Narnia sees Aslan destroying CS Lewis’ world
It’s a decisive conclusion that ties into the series’ religious themes.
It’s easy to question why Aslan destroys Narnia in the books, but much of it has to do with the Christian influence that permeates the novel. Narnia books. Aslan is characterized as Jesus Christ, and at the end of The last battlehe determines that the land of Narnia is flawed and must face judgment. He creates a new Narnia for creatures and humans to travel to after being judged. This connects to the new Narnia being considered Heaven and is a metaphor for the characters, including the Pevensies, dying and ascending to Heaven.
One of the worst parts of this ending is the fact that Susan Pevensie excluded from new Narnia and essentially locked out of heaven. In the book, Lewis explains this by saying that Susan became preoccupied with “frivolous” things and stopped being part of Narnia, unlike the other children who also became adults but were allowed into the “real” Narnia. Unfortunately, this can easily be interpreted as a sexist aspect of Narnia books and demonstrates some of the key issues facing Gerwig and the creative team.
CS Lewis’ Ending Fits His Fantasy Series’ Themes
Although it is a grim conclusion, it coincides with Lewis’s narrative
It is eventually revealed at the end of The last battle what the Pevens not only went to the real Narnia, but they also died in a train accident on Earth. Although this is an intense ending, it is not surprising for readers who have been with Narnia from the beginning. Lewis was never afraid to put his characters to the test and make definitive comments and moral judgments about them. Furthermore, since the Narnia the novels are so in dialogue with Christianity that they could only end with the destruction of the first Narnia and the creation of Heaven.
Bringing the Pevensies back and bringing their story full circle was fitting.
The Chronicles of Narnia has many great redemption stories, like that of Edmund in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. In a sense, the Pevensies and other worthy Narnia characters traveling to the new Narnia is the ultimate redemption arc, even if you leave out Susan. Both the more serious religious elements combined with the escapism of the first books in the series make it easy to understand why Lewis would choose to end his books this way. Bringing the Pevensies back and bringing their story full circle was fitting.
The final book in the Chronicles of Narnia makes the entire series more difficult to adapt
The Last Battle’s ending could disrupt the rest of the Narnia films
After spending so many years with the Pevensies and watching them grow up, it’s hard to witness them dying, even if it’s to get into Heaven. Even though they are older, they are still young adults when they enter the new Narnia, and it would be a bit shocking to see these young people die at the end of a series aimed at younger audiences. While many children’s fantasy films tackle darker themes and death, ending the new Narnia Films with the death of all the main characters can be difficult for some audiences.
The Chronicles of Narnia the adaptation doesn’t necessarily need a happy ending, but the legacy of the new films is extremely important. For audiences who have not read all of Lewis’s books, the sudden deaths of so many beloved characters would hamper the development and growth of the Pevensies and other individuals that later books focus on. Based on how recent fantasy film series have been adapted and received by viewers, it would be best to The Chronicles of Narnia to find a way to stay true to Lewis’ vision while still providing a satisfying ending.