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When the announcement concerning the television adaptation of Blake Crouch's 2016 novel, Dark Matter was first made in December 2020, many were excited. Specifically, people who have been hardcore fans of Blake's work and acknowledged his significant contributions to the science fiction genre were elated.
When books are adapted for the screens, it is natural to make several divergences from the original text. Be it in terms of the title characters portrayed by Joel Edgerton (Jason Dessen, Jason Prime, and Jason 2), Jennifer Connelly (Daniela Dessen), and Alice Braga (Amanda Lucas), or more supporting characters like Jimmi Simpson (Ryan Holder) and Dayo Okeniyi (Leighton Vance), there are significant differences between the characters' arcs in the show and the book.
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For instance, Amanda Lucas's character does not receive much importance in the book. However, in the show, Amanda is depicted to be Jason 2's girlfriend. The addition of such details added more depth to her character as it intricately tied her to one of the show's leads. It she had more to do in the show than in the book.
This article explores more about this difference and several other instances where the movie does not follow the book.
Disclaimer: This article contains significant spoilers for the Dark Matter TV show and the book. Viewership discretion is advised.
Eight scenes in the Dark Matter series that you will not find in the book
As highlighted, there are several ways in which the makers of Dark Matter took a step back from the book and incorporated new storylines. As Blake Crouch was the show's creator and scriptwriter, the divergences were something Crouch envisioned for his 2016 book but could not incorporate. Here are eight scenes depicted in the show that were different from the book.
1) Amanda is Jason 2's romantic interest in the show
As mentioned, Amanda's character in the Dark Matter book was not given much importance when compared to the show. In the book, Amanda exists as a character who reminds the readers of Jason 2's previous life.
In the book, Amanda is a therapist. However, in the show, besides being a therapist, Amanda is also Jason 2's romantic interest.
2) Amanda has feelings for Jason Prime
Another aspect of Amanda's character not explored in the book was her growing feelings towards Jason Prime after the two spent time together.
In the show, the two share fleeting moments, implying they were physically attracted to one another. However, neither acts on it until the later episodes of the season, when the two eventually kiss during dinner. This storyline was absent in the book. However, it was included in the show.
3) Jason 2 leaves his teaching job
In the show, Jason 2 is unable to cope with the stress of his job at Lakemont College and decides to quit his job, partnering with the alternate version of Leighton Vance. This move is different from what was depicted in the book. In the book, Jason 2 continued to work at the college and had no qualms about it.
4) Charlie shares a bonding moment with Jason 2
Another character whose arc was not explored in the book but was included in the show is Charlie Dessen, Jason Dessen's son. While trying to convince his family members that he was the real Jason, he took Charlie out for ice cream.
What could have been a bonding moment for the two ended up being life-risking because, as it turns out, Charlie is allergic to nuts. However, since Jason 2 is not his actual father, he does not know that. Unknowingly, he feeds Charlie an ice cream that has nuts in it. The incident triggered Charlie's allergic reactions and raised suspicions about Jason 2 in his mind. This scene was absent in the book.
5) Daniela is highly suspicious of Jason 2's activities
Daniela is more suspicious of Jason 2 in the show than she is in the book. A reason behind it could be that Jason 2's antics were not as suspicious in the book as in the show.
Having noticed that Jason 2 did not remember important details about his family, whom he considered of utmost importance, Daniela grew suspicious of him, so much so that he followed him to places to uncover his truth. This was a plot that was not in the book.
6) Charlie's sickness reveals much more than what it appears
Charlie's character is given much more prominence in the show than in the book. In one of the show's scenes, Charlie is portrayed to be very sick. However, his real father, Jason, is not there to tend to his illness. It is a gruesome depiction of a father not being able to be a part of his own family during tough times.
This scene and this plot were also left out of the book but included in the television series.
7) Jason Prime sees a version of himself in The Box
One of the scenes that creator Blake Crouch decided against portraying on screen was a scene included in his book. In this part, Jason is in The Box, walking alone in the corridor, when he suddenly sees someone. That someone is no one but him, or more precisely, an unclothed version of him.
Crouch decided to leave this part of the show entirely as he believed the scene was factually incorrect.
8) Leighton Vance knows both the Jasons from both universes
In the Dark Matter book, Leighton Vance only knows Jason in one universe, the universe of Jason 2. Vance does not know Jason Prime or Jason 2 in the alternate universe, aka Jason Prime's home universe.
However, this small detail is changed in the show, as it depicts that Leighton Vance from both universes knows both Jasons.
All about Apple TV's Dark Matter
Apple TV's Dark Matter is created by Blake Crouch. The screenplay for the show is based on Blake Crouch's 2016 novel of the same name. The show started airing on Apple TV + on May 7, 2024, and will conclude on June 26, 2024. The official logline for the show reads:
"Hailed as one of the best sci-fi novels of the decade, Dark Matter is a story about the road not taken. The series will follow Jason Dessen (played by Joel Edgerton), a physicist, professor and family man who — one night while walking home on the streets of Chicago — is abducted into an alternate version of his life."
It continues:
"Wonder quickly turns to nightmare when he tries to return to his reality amid the mind-bending landscape of lives he could have lived. In this labyrinth of realities, he embarks on a harrowing journey to get back to his true family and save them from the most terrifying, unbeatable foe imaginable: himself."
The next episode of Dark Matter airs on June 26, 2024, on Apple TV+.
