Why a Mistborn Movie Should Avoid Complicating Vin and Kelsier's Relationship

The Complexity of Vin and Kelsier's Relationship

A Mistborn movie adaptation promises to bring to life the captivating world of Brandon Sanderson's fantasy novels, with the enigmatic characters of Kelsier and Vin at its core. The first novel sees Vin joining Kelsier's crew and becoming an integral part of their plan to overthrow the Final Empire. Throughout the narrative, Kelsier assumes the role of a mentor to Vin, guiding her in the use of her Mistborn abilities and reshaping her perspective on friendship and love.

Kelsier art from Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series

However, for the movie to effectively capture the emotional depth of Kelsier and Vin's relationship, it must navigate the odder aspects of their dynamic. The primary romantic subplot in the Mistborn trilogy revolves around Vin's relationship with Elend, and the movie adaptation should prioritize this over any suggestion of a love triangle involving Kelsier. Vin's dynamic with Kelsier should be centered on a mentor-mentee relationship, devoid of any romantic implications.

Mistborn Vin fighting Koloss cover

The Misconception of Romance

Despite the lack of romantic tension between Vin and Kelsier in Sanderson's source material, the Mistborn trilogy occasionally hints at the possibility of romantic feelings from Vin's end towards her older mentor. This is further compounded by Elend's occasional jealousy towards Kelsier, even after his demise, and the crew members' speculations about the nature of Vin and Kelsier's relationship. However, it is essential to acknowledge that Vin's perspective does not align with these assumptions, as she predominantly views Kelsier as a father figure rather than a romantic interest.

The disparity in their ages further solidifies the notion that Kelsier serves as a paternal figure to Vin, offering her the stability and support she lacked in her upbringing. Additionally, both Vin and Elend are depicted as being interested in other individuals, emphasizing the platonic and familial nature of Vin and Kelsier's bond. Therefore, it is imperative for the Mistborn movie to expunge any narrative lines that suggest a romantic connection between the two characters, focusing instead on the more substantial aspects of their relationship.

Simplicity and Significance

The essence of the Mistborn trilogy lies in its themes of revolution and the pursuit of a better world, with romance serving as a secondary component. The movie adaptation can streamline the narrative by centering on the individual dynamics of Vin and Elend, without introducing unnecessary romantic complexities. By prioritizing the significant elements of the story and eliminating the awkwardness of a potential love triangle, the movie can effectively convey the core themes and character dynamics without dilution.

In conclusion, the Mistborn movie's success hinges on its ability to avoid complicating the relationship between Vin and Kelsier, allowing the narrative to focus on the fundamental aspects of the story. By maintaining the purity of Vin and Kelsier's mentor-mentee bond and emphasizing the central romance between Vin and Elend, the movie adaptation can harness the essence of Sanderson's novels without unnecessary distractions.