The Ultimate Debate: Film vs Books

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With movies once again on the rise after the pandemic’s long delay in productions, there are a lot of upcoming films to look forward to. As more future movies continue to be announced each month, I’ve noticed that a majority of them share the same specific genre. 

Book-to-film adaptation is a genre that has only grown in popularity, as it gives book lovers the chance to see some of their favorite stories come to life on the big screen. As an avid reader myself, I always look forward to a favorite novel of mine being adapted into a major film or tv show. 

My biggest concern when I discover a film adaptation is if the writers and directors will do the book justice and keep major plot points in the script, or ruin the adaptation by disregarding the novel’s beats and replacing them with their own, like the disaster that was Percy Jackson. While I adore reading, I happen to be a film student studying screenwriting as well, which means that movies are a big part of my life. 

Due to my passion for film, there are cases in which I prefer watching the film adaptation before reading the novel. It’s a huge debate I have with myself when I discover the film adaptation before having the chance to read the book. The question of whether I choose to watch the film or read the book first eats away at me. Do I learn the story visually through the movie and have the opportunity to watch it with an open mind, or do I choose to read the book, thus ensuring no spoilers and the possibility of anticipating an adaptation?

Most people I know (at least the ones who love to read) prefer to read the novels first, so when the film does come out they can see if it’s exactly how they envisioned it or at least close to what they expected. Others prefer watching the film to reading the book, as they believe visual representation is more entertaining and they can experience the story unfolding before their eyes. 

These arguments are exactly what gets me stuck at a crossroads, and I’m assuming others feel the same. Either choice will lead to spoilers which, depending on the option, can end in disappointment. I guess when it comes to this decision, it depends on the story and how it speaks to you. 

So what’s it going to be: book or movie? You’ll have plenty of opportunities to answer this question in the following year!