Top 9 Twists: How 'Those Who Wish Me Dead' Film Diverges from the Novel
Explore the top nine changes that the film adaptation of 'Those Who Wish Me Dead' made from its source material, from character switches to plot reinventions.
9. A New Conspiracy Takes Shape
Unlike the novel where the plot is primarily a survival story with a murder case backdrop, the movie introduces a new layer of intrigue with a conspiracy plotline. The film crafts a thread involving political machinations, assassins hired by a heavyweight politician, portrayed by none other than Tyler Perry in a cameo. This tweak to the storyline aims to give the movie a higher stake and a broader scope of danger beyond the immediate physical threats faced by the characters.
Nicholas Hoult as Patrick levels a gun at Hannah in a burning forest in Those Who Wish Me Dead
8. Forest Fire: A Man-Made Disaster
The movie adaptation turns the forest fire into a deliberate act of destruction by the assassins, Jack and Patrick, using a flare to start the blaze. This act of arson serves as a grim distraction from a murder they commit. In contrast, the book describes the fire as a natural consequence of both fire and storm seasons, emphasizing the uncontrollable force of nature rather than human villainy. The alteration in the film adds a direct link between the antagonists and the destructive force that propels the movie's climax.
Angelina Jolie journeys through a forest fire in Those Who Wish Me Dead
7. Hannah's Haunted Past
In the film, Hannah's backstory is etched with tragedy as she is depicted as a guilt-stricken smokejumper who failed to save lives in a past incident, which motivates her protective instincts towards Connor. The book also portrays Hannah with a similar past, but it's the memory of a specific young boy she couldn't save that haunts her and drives her to protect Jace. This change adds depth to Hannah's character in the film, linking her redemption arc more closely with her relationship with Connor.
Angelina Jolie looking contemplative in Those Who Wish Me Dead.
6. Jace's Survival Skills vs. Connor's Helplessness
The film's Connor, unlike Jace in the novel, is not equipped with survival skills, which makes him entirely dependent on Hannah for protection. The novel's Jace, on the other hand, learns valuable survival techniques from Ethan and Allison's wilderness survival program, which play a crucial role in his ability to evade the killers and survive the fire. The contrast emphasizes the difference in agency between the film's Connor and the book's Jace, underscoring the theme of survival against the odds.
Connor (Finn Little) cries in the blaze as Patrick (Nicholas Hoult) approaches in Those Who Wish Me Dead
5. Ethan & Allison's Connection to the Protagonist
In the movie, Ethan and Allison are rewritten as Connor's relatives, which personalizes the stakes and tightens the narrative's emotional core. The novel's Ethan and Allison, conversely, run a wilderness survival program and are not related to Jace, who comes under their care for protection. This change in their relationship to the protagonist in the film adaptation creates a more intimate and familial dynamic, heightening the tension as they defend one of their own.
Medina Senghore as Allison crouches next to Jon Bernthal as Ethan in Those Who Wish Me Dead
4. A Shift in Protagonist Focus
While the novel centers around the teenage Jace Wilson, the movie pivots to spotlight Hannah, played by Angelina Jolie. This choice shifts the narrative focus from a coming-of-age story to a redemption arc for a seasoned smokejumper. The recentering on Hannah allows the film to delve deeper into her character and makes full use of Jolie's action star persona, offering a different perspective on the story's themes.
Angelina Jolie in a firefighting suit in Those Who Wish Me Dead.
3. The Antagonists' Motivations
The movie positions Jack and Patrick as hired assassins aiming to eliminate Connor and his father due to incriminating evidence. In contrast, the book's Blackwell brothers are not hitmen but brutal murderers with a personal vendetta. Their chilling, robotic manner of speaking in the book is absent in the film, which opts for a more standard portrayal of cold, professional killers. This adjustment alters the nature of the threat faced by the protagonists, making it less personal but more connected to a larger conspiracy.
Jack and Patrick standing on the road in Those Who Wish Me Dead
2. The Catalyst for the Chase
The catalyst for the deadly pursuit in the movie is Owen's possession of incriminating information, leading to him and Connor being targeted by assassins. In the book, Jace becomes a target after witnessing a murder, prompting his parents to entrust his safety to Ethan and Allison's survival program. The change in the film not only provides a different reason for the chase but also alters the dynamic between the characters, as the film depicts a more direct and immediate threat.
Finn Little as Connor and Jake Weber as Owen drive in a car in Those Who Wish Me Dead
1. The Narrative's Opening Moves
The film adaptation opens with a focus on Hannah's smokejumper career and swiftly introduces Connor's plight, whereas the book begins with Jace's story as the central narrative. This change in opening scenes sets the tone for each version. In the movie, Hannah's smokejumping experience and initial encounter with Connor establish the action-packed nature of the film. The book's initial focus on Jace's experiences offers a more personal entry point into the story and its subsequent tension.
Angelina Jolie holds Finn Little in Those Who Wish Me Dead.
