One thing up front: Neuromancer is not just any ordinary sci-fi novel – but it might end up being another ordinary scifi show, if Apple TV doesn’t wise up. Neuromancer is one of the pioneer novels of the cyberpunk genre, setting the standard for all future works in the genre. So, naturally, fans have been eagerly waiting for a faithful adaptation for decades. But what do we get? A watered-down version on Apple TV+. Cue the collective sighs of disappointment.
The creators, Roland and Dillard, have the audacity to call themselves fans of the novel. Yet, they seem to have missed the memo that cyberpunk is not just about flashy technology and cool gadgets. It’s about exploring the dark, gritty side of society and the human psyche. Why bother with all that when you can have a generic espionage plot and some forgettable actors, am I right?
Why am I so cynical? I’ll let Joblo explain: “Forty years ago, author William Gibson brought the world a cyberpunk novel called Neuromancer – and an adaptation of that story has been trudging its way through development hell pretty much ever since. Versions of a feature film adaptation have passed through the hands of directors like music video maker Chris Cunningham, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and The Blob‘s Chuck Russell, Torque‘s Joseph Kahn, Cube‘s Vincenzo Natali, and Deadpool‘s Tim Miller.”
Hollywood’s had 40 years to get this right – the only thing they think we need to hear about is Briana Middleton’s casting as Molly. Pin a rose on your nose!
The thing that gets me about this is that Hollywood continues to underestimate the intelligence of sci-fi fans. We deserve better than a lazy adaptation that dumbs down the depth and complexity of Neuromancer just to make it more palatable for the masses. Good enough isn’t good enough. We want a thought-provoking, mind-bending exploration of the future and the impact of technology on humanity.
But no, let’s just slap a familiar name on a generic crime drama and call it a day. Because who cares about pushing the boundaries of storytelling when we can cater to the lowest common denominator? It’s time for Hollywood to quit dumbing things down and start giving sci-fi the respect and intelligence it deserves. After all, it’s not just about entertainment, it’s about exploring the possibilities of our future and challenging our perceptions of reality. And in that regard, Neuromancer deserves so much better than what it’s getting. Right now, the sky over the port – and Apple TV+ – are the color of a TV tuned to a dead channel.
