Book adaptations are considered a gamble, primarily because movies often fail to capture the complexity, growth, and details explored in the books. Considering how no book-to-movie adaptation has ever escaped public scrutiny, the Harry Potter franchise became no exception. Often called out for doing injustice to the fan-favorite character of Emma Watson, the films became a source of heated debate.
Emma Watson as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films | image: Warner Bros.
Although many believe that J.K. Rowling’s legendary story received one of the best adaptations, others think that the movies ruined a few key characters like Emma Watson’s Hermione Granger. Addressing how the film adaptation turned Watson’s character into a flawless Mary Sue, Potterheads debated that Hermione was unjustly dealt with in the movies.
The Harry Potter Films Omitted Qualities that Made Hermione a Badass
Even after decades since the end of the Harry Potter franchise in 2011, Warner Bros’ film adaptation is often deemed the epitome of success, considering the billion-dollar collection at the box office. Thereafter, the franchise propelled to the level of the most celebrated lore, which still remains a source of debates and inspiration for fan theories to this day.
However, despite the popularity and appreciation for the Harry Potter films, it’s safe to say that even J.K. Rowling’s epic wizarding fantasy couldn’t escape intense scrutiny due to some of the major changes made to the characters. While the films molded the story in a way to fit the big-screen narrative, fans believe that the studio boldly sculpted the main characters completely different from how Rowling intended them.
Emma Watson in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire | Image: Warner Bros.
One such titular character that faced a controversial change is undoubtedly Emma Watson’s Hermione Granger. Introduced as a Muggle-born witch and Harry’s close friend, Hermione was tragically transformed into this Mary Sue prototype in the films. While J.K Rowling had phenomenally crafted Hermione to be Harry’s equal and an unofficial leader of the trio, assigned to consistently save the boys from disasters, the films did a massive injustice to her role.
J.K. Rowling during an interview with BBC
While J.K. Rowling quite literally crafted Hermione Granger out of William Wordsworth’s poem, “a perfect woman, nobly planned, to warn, to comfort and command”, the films criminally omitted most of Hermione’s qualities that made her a strong character. From omitting Hermione’s unhinged side, where she confined Rita Skeeter into an unbreakable jar and jinxed the parchment to safeguard against traitors within Dumbledore’s Army, the films took away the very essence of Emma Watson’s character.
Potterheads are Upset with the Injustice Towards Emma Watson’s Role
Therefore, taking to Reddit, u/EphemeralMemory expressed their frustration over how the movies confined Emma Watson’s Hermione Granger to the same old flawless female character often showcased in films. People noted that the movies typically depicted Hermione as the brave and brilliant witch, without showcasing her book-accurate neurotic side that drove her classmates nuts.
Further, u/PenguinZombie321 highlighted how the franchise initially began with fairly faithful adaptations of Hermione but gradually began to move away from her book characterization since Prisoner of Azkaban. From there onwards Emma Watson‘s character rarely made mistakes and was always this righteous lady who followed rules. Whereas in the books Hermione was undoubtedly intelligent, brave, and resourceful, she was also spiteful, prone to jealousy, and had difficulty socializing.
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While the book Hermione was a complex character who made mistakes and learned from them, the films took away that developmental arc from Emma Watson and turned her into this flat character who was so perfect that she had nothing to learn from. J.K. Rowling made Hermione a three-dimensional character who experienced human emotions like jealousy and vindictiveness. But unfortunately, the movies turned her into a saint-like character without insecurities, flaws, and personality traits that she wanted to overcome.
Emma Watson’s Hermione in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone | image: Warner Bros
People related more to the book version since Rowling allowed Hermione to grow as a character. Reading about Hermione overcoming difficulties made people want her to succeed, whereas in the films, Watson’s character was presented as a symbol, rather than a person trying to succeed against difficult odds. Fans therefore ended the streak of debate by stating how J.K Rowling’s depiction of Hermione Granger felt like a real person, while in the movies Emma Watson’s character felt like an archetype.
Harry Potter films are available on Max.
