I've been a massive Death Stranding fan since Kojima first unleashed his post-apocalyptic delivery simulator on us back in 2019. Now here we are in 2025, not only with an incredible sequel that dropped this summer, but also with some juicy details about the upcoming movie adaptation that has me absolutely buzzing with excitement!
During the recent 'Beyond The Strand' presentation celebrating Kojima Productions' 10-year anniversary, we finally got more concrete information about the Death Stranding movie being produced by A24. And let me tell you, it's taking a direction that I honestly wasn't expecting, but am totally here for.
For those who might have been living under a BT-infested rock, the Death Stranding games follow Sam Porter Bridges (played by the incomparable Norman Reedus) as he traverses a fractured America, connecting isolated communities to the chiral network. The sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, expanded this journey into Mexico and Australia, deepening the bizarre and beautiful lore that Kojima is famous for.
But here's the kicker about the movie - it's NOT going to retread Sam's story!
Michael Sarnoski, the director who recently gave us A Quiet Place: Day One, is taking the helm and shared his vision during the presentation: "With this project, we really want to capture the soul of the game, capture the themes of the game, but tell a story you haven't seen in that world and explore characters you haven't seen before."
Like, HELLO? This is exactly what a good adaptation should do! Instead of giving us a watered-down version of the games' narrative, they're expanding the universe. The Death Stranding world is so rich and weird (in the best possible way) that there are countless stories waiting to be told.
I mean, think about it. The Death Stranding universe gives us:
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A post-apocalyptic America where rain accelerates time
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Invisible monsters that cause catastrophic explosions
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Babies in pods that help detect said monsters
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A beach that connects life and death
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Delivery people as the new heroes of society
There's just SO MUCH to explore beyond Sam's personal journey. The movie could focus on other Porters, or maybe the early days right after the Death Stranding event. Or perhaps it could show us what's happening in other parts of the world that we haven't seen in the games yet.
Of course, with Kojima serving as producer, I'm expecting the film to maintain that signature blend of philosophical ponderings, emotional gut-punches, and occasional moments of absurdist humor. (Remember when Sam could pee and it would grow mushrooms? That was... something else.)
I'm also secretly hoping for some cameos from the games' characters. Kojima loves putting his friends in his projects (Guillermo del Toro's Deadman is a prime example), so maybe we'll see some familiar faces, even if they're not central to the plot.
The movie was officially confirmed back in 2023, but it feels like we've been waiting FOREVER for more details. Now with A24 backing it, I'm even more confident this will be a thoughtful adaptation rather than a generic action flick with the Death Stranding name slapped on it.
For those unfamiliar with A24, they're the studio behind some of the most innovative films of recent years, including:
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Everything Everywhere All at Once
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Hereditary
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Midsommar
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The Lighthouse
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Ex Machina
Their involvement practically guarantees this won't be your typical video game adaptation. They excel at the weird, the profound, and the visually striking - all hallmarks of Kojima's work.
What makes me most excited is how this approach could actually strengthen the games' legacy rather than simply trying to translate them directly. By expanding into new territory, the movie has the freedom to add depth to the world without being constrained by having to follow the games beat-by-beat.
The Death Stranding universe is built on connections - both literal and metaphorical. The games explore how humans need each other to survive, how isolation breeds fear, and how even the smallest acts of kindness can ripple outward to create meaningful change. These themes feel more relevant than ever in our post-pandemic world, where we've all experienced versions of isolation and reconnection.
I can't help but wonder what new perspectives a fresh story might bring to these themes. Will we see the Death Stranding event from a different angle? Will we learn more about the nature of the Beach or the BTs? Or will it focus more on the political aspects of rebuilding society?
The movie is still in development, with no confirmed release date yet, but the pieces are falling into place. Kojima and Allan Ungar are producing, and while no cast has been announced, I'm dying to see who they'll bring on board.
I know video game adaptations have a... complicated history, to put it mildly. For every success like The Last of Us HBO series, there are dozens of failures. But something about this particular combination - Kojima's vision, A24's artistic sensibilities, and Sarnoski's direction - gives me hope that the Death Stranding movie might be one of the rare adaptations that actually works.
So what do you think - is the decision to tell a new story in the Death Stranding universe the right move, or would you have preferred to see Sam's journey brought directly to the big screen? And more importantly, what aspects of this bizarre and beautiful world are you most hoping to see explored in a feature film?