Greta Gerwig's remake of updates on Greta Gerwig's Narnia we have gotten have been exciting as high fantasy stories continue to become more popular, giving these narratives more room to explore. Even so, I cannot help but hope that Gerwig's reboot offers more than just additional references to the C.S. Lewis books and homages to other fantasy franchises.

Though Gerwig's reboot could answer many questions the books and original films did not, I am hoping Gerwig goes a step beyond just adding more lore and otherwise copying the same tones and aesthetics. The film's streaming release means that this version of Lewis' story can afford to be more experimental, so it would be disappointing if Gerwig does not take advantage of that flexibility. If I am being honest, I specifically wish that someone (Gerwig or otherwise) would make a horror adaptation of The Chronicles Of Narnia, since those elements would fit the story well.

I Wish Someone Would Make A Horror Adaptation Of The Chronicles Of Narnia

Narnia's Storyline Can Be Made Richer With These Elements

Heading in this direction would allow the story to stand apart from other fantasy works. As mentioned, Gerwig's reboot is set to be a streaming premiere, which means that it can afford to be more experimental in its telling. Streaming platforms have become home to more unconventional stories. Therefore, having a platform like Netflix house a horror version of this beloved story would make sense and could be entertaining considering Netflix's horror catalog, which includes The Haunting of Hill House.

This would also allow Gerwig and Lewis' story a chance to grow. Gerwig has yet to direct a horror film, so this would be a great opportunity to allow her to take her unique style into the genre. Not only that, but the series' classic high fantasy elements would not truly set it apart from other projects, so doing a horror twist would ensure Gerwig's reboot avoids just copying Disney's movies. It would also enrich many of the storylines within Lewis' original books, allowing a horror-filled The Chronicles of Narnia adaptation to work and still feel accurate.

Why The Chronicles Of Narnia Would Work So Well With Horror Elements

The Franchise Already Has Some Horror-Adjacent Themes

The Chronicles of Narnia would work so well with horror elements because so many of them can already be found in the themes and world-building of the story. C.S. Lewis' story of the Pevensie children carries hints of the fear of growing up during war as well as the complications of growing up generally. Those psychological aspects could easily absorb elements of horror as the children carry their fears both into Narnia and out of it after returning only to find that no time has ed, forcing them to grow up all over again.

Gerwig starred in two horror films, Baghead in 2008 and The House of the Devil in 2009.

The external aspects and characters of Narnia could also accommodate those elements, especially The White Witch. I think adding both atmospheric darkness and less noble intentions to some of the characters would only enhance the story as the children learn of what The White Witch has done, emphasizing the dangers lurking within the wardrobe. The Narnia film could also do this villain justice through horror elements, highlighting the stakes through The White Witch's more intense acts. This would not only give this franchise a new identity but also allow The Chronicles of Narnia to follow a recent movie trend.

A Horror Take On C.S. Lewis' Story Would Follow A Recent Movie Trend

Many Kids' Films Are Being Readapted As Horror Films

Doing a horror take on C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia would follow a fascinating recent movie trend regarding kids' films. Many stories of beloved characters from when we were growing up, like Winnie the Pooh, Bambi, etc., have been turned into horror films in recent years, an example being Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey. While those films have received varying results of success, the concept is intriguing to me as it forces us to ask similar questions about childhood that The Chronicles of Narnia already posited.

As a result, The Chronicles of Narnia reboot can honor Lewis' legacy while still taking the story in a new direction, forcing us to examine what truly lies beyond the wardrobe.

Several of these films tackle the fear of leaving the world you know behind, taking both personal responsibility and responsibility for others, and the impact of trauma on someone's mind. Lewis already laid the groundwork in his stories, so adding these elements would further this trend and these questions in audiences' minds as the Narnia reboot expands its world-building beyond the classic fantasy blueprint. As a result, The Chronicles of Narnia reboot can honor Lewis' legacy while still taking the story in a new direction, forcing us to examine what truly lies beyond the wardrobe.