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“Old,” M. Night Shyamalan’s film, has sparked divided opinions among critics, but for some, it stands out as one of his best works in recent years. The story follows a group of families trapped on a supernatural beach that causes rapid aging, and while the movie is gripping and terrifying, many wonder where Shyamalan got the idea for this chilling tale.
As it turns out, “Old” is based on the 2010 graphic novel “Sandcastle” by Pierre Oscar Levy. Shyamalan received Levy’s novel as a gift from his children, who thought he would find its story intriguing. The graphic novel, illustrated by Frederik Peeters, captivated Shyamalan with its narrative of 13 characters trapped on a deadly beach during a fateful family vacation. But how closely did Shyamalan stick to the source material when creating “Old,” and what are the differences between the two?
Let’s explore some of the key disparities between the graphic novel and the film adaptation:
- Setting:
- In “Old,” the beach is depicted as part of a luxury resort, located in an undisclosed tropical location. The beach is secluded, surrounded by cliffs, and shrouded in mystery.
- In “Sandcastle,” the beach is situated in the South of France, resembling a typical European coastline with sand dunes and shrubs. It is open to the public, lacking the secluded and exotic nature seen in the film.
- Characters:
- “Old” features two primary families, the Cappa family and the Charles family, along with additional characters such as a couple and a famous rapper. Each family has its own backstory and dynamics, and they are deliberately chosen to be placed on the deadly beach.
- “Sandcastle” also centers around two families, the Cappas and another family representing the Charles family. However, there are more characters in the graphic novel, each with unique backgrounds and interactions. The dynamics between characters differ between the two works.
- Resort Element:
- The inclusion of a luxury resort and its staff, particularly the suspicious manager and his nephew, is a significant addition in “Old.” These characters play a role in the unfolding mystery and contribute to the sense of foreboding.
- “Sandcastle” lacks the resort element seen in the film, focusing solely on the experiences of the characters on the beach without external interference.
- Story Focus:
- While both works explore the concept of rapid aging on a supernatural beach, “Old” emphasizes the mystery surrounding the phenomenon and introduces a larger conspiracy. The film delves into the reasons behind the characters’ selection and the nature of the beach itself.
- In contrast, “Sandcastle” focuses more on the experience of the characters as they grapple with the effects of aging and mortality, without delving into external factors or conspiracies.
- Ending:
- The endings of “Old” and “Sandcastle” diverge significantly. While both involve the characters’ deaths, the resolution and aftermath differ between the two works. “Old” introduces elements of survival and discovery beyond the beach, while “Sandcastle” concludes with a more introspective and solitary ending.
Despite these differences, both “Old” and “Sandcastle” explore themes of mortality, time, and the human condition in compelling ways. Shyamalan’s adaptation retains the essence of the graphic novel while infusing it with his own vision and storytelling style, resulting in a captivating cinematic experience.