The 2021 film Chaos Walking had everything it needed to be a groundbreaking science fiction adventure. With a fascinating premise, a star-studded cast including Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley, and a renowned author’s source material, it seemed poised for success. Yet, despite these advantages, the film became a box office flop, failing to resonate with audiences and critics alike. The consensus was clear: the movie’s execution never lived up to its imaginative concept. Critics pointed to a cluttered and confusing central premise, a lackluster villain, and a meandering plot that never found its footing. The core idea, that men’s thoughts were audible and visible as “The Noise,” was a brilliant hook, but the film treated it more like a special effect than the foundation of its world. This was a colossal missed opportunity, as the concept of The Noise could have been the driving force behind a truly compelling and emotionally rich character journey.
The Journey from Inner Chaos to Focused Thought
The movie should have used The Noise to show a hero’s growth in a way no other film has. Todd Hewitt, as a young man at the beginning of his journey, should have been defined by his uncontrollable Noise—a messy combination of his fears, doubts, and aspirations. We would see this struggle in his everyday life. For instance, when hunting, his fear of failure and the chaos of his inner thoughts would broadcast his every move, making him clumsy and unsuccessful. This would create a powerful and visible internal conflict that the audience could immediately understand.
The true arc for Todd would then be the journey of learning to control his inner chaos and turn it into focused, purposeful thought. Early on, he would struggle with tasks like climbing a difficult cliff face, his Noise flaring up with every fear of falling. His growth would be shown through small victories where he learns to quiet his mind and focus on the task at hand. By the end of the film, he would not just be controlling his Noise, he would be a master of it. He would have learned that true maturity for a man in this world isn’t about suppressing thoughts, but about focusing them. The chaotic, jumbled Noise would become a clear, powerful projection of his will—a true sign that he has grown into a man.
The Amplifying Power of Inspiration and Desire
One of the most profound missed opportunities was the film’s failure to explore how women affect The Noise. In our own lives, men’s feelings and aspirations are often amplified in the presence of women. A man might feel inspired to be a hero, but that inspiration is almost always accompanied by a cacophony of self-doubt: “She won’t like me,” “I’m not good enough,” “She’ll see right through me.” This is the human truth that should have been at the heart of Todd’s relationship with Viola.
When Todd first meets Viola, his Noise should have exploded with these amplified thoughts. We would see his hopeful visions of being a great hero for her, immediately followed by the deafening thoughts of his own fears and insecurities. This internal chaos would make him act awkwardly and drive Viola away, as she would be understandably wary of his strange behavior. Todd’s journey of mastering his Noise would then be directly tied to his relationship with her. He would have to learn to quiet his negative thoughts not just for himself, but for her, so she would feel safe and not be repelled by his inner turmoil. In the climax, when he finally masters his Noise, he would project his love and focus for Viola with such clarity that she would finally understand his true heart. This would not only be a moment of personal triumph for Todd but also a beautiful, earned payoff for the audience, showing a profound and unique connection between the two characters.
A Villain with a More Human Desire
Finally, the villain Mayor Prentiss’s motivation for pursuing Viola felt disappointingly flat. After years of living in a world without women, his relentless chase felt generic, as if he simply wanted her technology. But what if his motivation was far more human and, in a way, more terrifyingly relatable? After living in a world of only men, Prentiss would be driven by a desperate, all-consuming desire to be with a woman again. Viola, being the first woman he’s seen in years, would become the focus of his twisted desires. His pursuit wouldn’t be just for her ship; it would be for her, to have her for himself. This darker, more personal obsession would give his character a more significant and terrifying drive, making him a villain with a purpose rather than just a plan. This would raise the stakes of the film and make the final confrontation between Todd and Prentiss a battle for Viola’s safety, not just a battle for a spaceship.
Thanks,
Ira
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