Book to movie, 20: The Power
Every four weeks, I will be writing about a book that I think could make a great movie.
The Power by Naomi Alderman asks a simple question: What would happen if girls and women across the world gained the ability to cause agonizing pain or even death by simple touch? In Alderman's world at least, it leads to reset: first by small steps, and then by a sudden show of ultimate power.
Told from multiple points of view, The Power is a rich novel that could be a great movie.
First things first though, I am aware that The Power was made into a TV show (which I believe you can still stream on Amazon). I am not against the show and, in all fairness, I have not watched it.
But, I do believe that The Power could be told int he more succinct movie format.
I think it may be better suited for the movie format because of the ending. While this will have to be vague in order to keep the ending a surprise for readers, how it plays out I would find more satisfying for a movie than a TV show. Perhaps because with a TV show, because it's a longer format, I expect things to be wrapped up a bit more neatly.
Regardless, the notion of girls and women having a new superpower that could lead to a changed power dynamic continues to be an enticing one for those who have suffered under the patriarchy for far too long. While change has certainly happened over the decades, many will recognize that since this book's initial publication, some rights for female-bodied folks have regressed.
Although I'm unsure how the series was received, I still have faith that this story could be an intricate, dynamic, and cinematic success as long as it is in the right hands.
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