Action RPG

Elden Ring’s Movie Adaptation: A Horror Film’s Dark Influence Awaits!

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Summary

  • Elden Ring’s dark fantasy world provides the perfect canvas for Alex Garland’s talents.
  • The lore of Elden Ring offers opportunities to explore dark, visually striking imagery, aligning with Garland’s previous work.
  • Garland can bring his unique, grotesque style from Men to his adaptation of Elden Ring, capturing its gory and unsettling elements.

Alex Garland is all set to bring the epic fantasy game Elden Ring to life, and he’s drawing inspiration for his distinctive style from one of his most unusual horror films. Garland initially garnered fame as a writer, crafting scripts for 28 Days Later and Dredd. He also dabbled in the video game realm, co-writing the underappreciated masterpiece Enslaved: Odyssey to the West and the reboot game DMC: Devil May Cry. After whispers spread that he “secretly directed” Dredd when issues arose with credited director Pete Travis, Garland moved into directing, making a splash with his first official directorial work, Ex Machina, followed by films such as Annihilation, Captain America: Civil War, and Warfare.

Apart from his passion for gardening, Garland is equally enthusiastic about video games, particularly the highly-acclaimed “Elden Ring”. Given his deep-seated affection for this game, he seems perfectly suited to ensure an accurate film adaptation. Developed by FromSoftware in 2022, Elden Ring belongs to the Soulslike genre and was directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, who collaborated with George R.R. Martin on its storyline. Known for creating “Game of Thrones”, Martin’s fantasy fans are familiar with his creative prowess. The dark fantasy action RPG resonates with gamers due to its intricate gameplay, where players delve into the Lands Between, a quest aimed at reforging the Elden Ring, which carries deep and profound lore.

In addition to modifying the game’s narrative, the aesthetics of Elden Ring play a crucial role in its overall enjoyment, whether it be in dismal settings or grotesque adversaries. In fact, Guillermo del Toro’s controversial horror film Men provides an excellent artistic influence for some of the more unsettling and gruesome entities found within Elden Ring.

Alex Garland’s Men Is A Hellish Metaphor

In his work, Garland both wrote and directed the film titled “Men“, featuring actors Jessie Buckley, Rory Kinnear, and Paapa Essiedu. The narrative follows Harper, portrayed by Buckley, who decides to embark on a solo trip in the English countryside as a means of escape after her former husband’s (Essiedu) tragic demise. From the very beginning, the journey seems unsettling. The man renting out the house to Harper (Kinnear) gives off an odd vibe, making inappropriate remarks and appearing socially awkward.

As Harper wanders through the small town, an uneasy sensation grows within her. It seems that each man she encounters possesses a troubling demeanor, making the atmosphere all the more disconcerting. This unsettling vibe is heightened by the fact that Kinnear plays multiple male roles in the film, with varying makeup and hairstyles. The movie’s creepiness lies not in supernatural forest spirits but rather in Harper’s persistent encounters with awkward and threatening situations. Despite being the only woman amidst a sea of similar-looking men, she never feels secure or at ease, regardless of where she goes.

The movie’s conclusion sparks debates about Garland’s horror narrative, as it offers room for diverse interpretations among viewers. However, by presenting gruesome encounters and elaborating on Harper’s ex-husband’s role, the film reveals its underlying message: it critiques the deeply ingrained patriarchal systems that dominate society. This theme resonates with audiences of all genders, as it portrays the harmful effects of toxic masculinity, a problem that is frequently perpetuated across generations and unconsciously adopted by men.

Men Features Some Of Garland’s Most Gruesome Content

A significant portion of the movie “Men” immerses viewers in Harper’s distress as she is belittled and objectified by the male characters. Throughout “Men“, there are instances where Harper expresses herself clearly, but the men disregard her words and persist in their actions. They frequently interrupt her or treat her as if she is insignificant. However, “Men” also contains some of Garland’s most gruesome and unsettling scenes. When viewers finally witness the death of Harper’s abusive ex-husband, it is far from gentle. The character is brutally impaled on a fence following a jump from the roof, which appears to be a suicide resulting from an argument.

In the climax of the movie, the most unsettling and revolting images are reserved. When Harper tries to depart, she encounters one of Kinnear’s male characters. The scene then spirals into grotesque imagery as he initiates a birthing process that results in another man from the village being born. This cycle repeats, with each man dying after birth to give rise to the next, creating a chain of events. “Birthing” might seem mild for what unfolds, but it accurately describes the sequence. Some of the men emerge through wounds, while others crawl out of gaping mouths that distort in disturbingly unnatural ways. Regardless of the method, this scene stands starkly apart from the rest of the film, leaving a lasting impression of profound disgust.

How Alex Garland’s Elden Ring Could Benefit From The Horrors Of Men

In Elden Ring, Garland skillfully showcases his knack for depicting the gloomy and macabre, as exemplified in his previous works like Men. The Lands Between, thoroughly explored by players including multiple playthroughs of Garland himself, holds a special place for many. From the Gothic-styled Crumbling Farum Azula to the central Altus Plateau, the Lands Between boast numerous distinct regions that require careful visual representation. While Garland has demonstrated an ability to bring life to unique environments in movies such as Annihilation with its “shimmer” effect, Elden Ring also offers bleak landscapes like Caelid, a visually distressing area teeming with grotesque creatures. The disturbing finale of Men could serve as inspiration for the visual aesthetics of these areas.

In the eerie world of Elden Ring, the creatures and bosses would arguably gain the most impact from the grotesque style that “Men” employs. This dark fantasy realm is home to terrifying creatures such as the colossal Land Octopus or Wormface, which are truly unsettling. Other bosses are equally horrifying, like the Ulcerated Tree Spirit and Astel. Even seemingly innocuous beings, like Albinaurics, are well-suited for Men’s artistic talents. Just as the disturbing visuals from Men can captivate or repulse viewers to the point of covering their eyes involuntarily, these enemies could benefit from being so visually repugnant that spectators might find themselves unable to look away or shield their gaze with trembling fingers.

The intricate lore of Elden Ring provides scope for director Garland to delve deeper into cinematic territory, particularly with ideas such as Grafting, a process where body parts are joined onto living entities. Though it may be some time before A24 brings this adaptation to life, Garland’s track record in tackling dark themes, demonstrated through films like ‘Men,’ makes the upcoming Elden Ring movie an enticing prospect to follow its progress.

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2025-05-26 19:14

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