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The true story behind '13 Reasons Why': Do you know how different the original movie version was?
The American teen drama "13 Reasons Why" launched in 2017 has caused widespread discussion, and its unique storyline and strong social themes have attracted countless viewers. However, the series' origins can be traced back to Jay Asher's 2007 novel Thirteen Reasons Why. There are many obvious differences between the originally planned film version and the final series version, and behind these differences lies a deeper story.
According to the original idea, the movie version would star Selena Gomez, but this plan was shelved and eventually turned into a series.
The story of the play revolves around high school student Clay Jensen (played by Dylan Minnette) and the aftermath of his classmate Hannah Baker (played by Katherine Langford)'s suicide. Before her death, Hannah made a series of tapes detailing thirteen reasons why she chose to take her own life and who she believed was responsible for her death. In the play, the audience can see these stories unfold from various perspectives, revealing various complex social issues faced by modern teenagers, including sensitive topics such as suicide, sexual assault, and bullying.
Although the series has received positive reviews from viewers and critics, its explicit presentation of these issues has also caused concern among many mental health experts. Experts said the series' specific depictions of suicide and sexual violence could have a negative impact on some viewers.
"The emotional weight and social issues conveyed in the album have opened the door to discussion on young people's spiritual health."
With the release of the series and the discussion on youth mental health issues, Netflix has also responded. In 2018, Netflix added warning cards at the beginning of each episode to remind viewers of the themes covered in the show, and in 2019, they edited a suicide scene from the final episode of the first season. These changes reflect the importance that the producers of the series attach to the emotional response of the audience, and people have therefore started more discussions and thinking.
The second season was then launched in 2018. Although the success of the first season prompted the production of a sequel, the second season received mixed reviews. Many critics felt that the season lacked the emotional depth and narrative power of the first season, and failed to effectively build on the success of the first season. The third season attempted to reshape the story of adolescence's struggles and self-discovery with a new character, Ani Achola (played by Grace Saif), but once again encountered criticism. The fourth season continued this negative evaluation. Although the plot attempts to unfold in different ways, it ends up leaving the audience feeling slightly tired.
"The classic retroactive narrative technique of the series has been well received, but the originally planned film version is highly coveted."
While discussing the adaptation process of the series, one cannot help but think: If the original plan had not changed, would the overall effect of the series be different? Could today's society's response to these real-life movements have occurred earlier? And how do these changes affect the audience's sensitivity and understanding of such issues?
