Netflix’s Lara Croft Show Fixes The Alicia Vikander Tomb Raider Movie’s Biggest Mistake

Netflix's Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft has finally fixed a major problem that weighed down Alicia Vikander's Tomb Raider movie. Starring Hayley Atwell as Lara Croft, Netflix's take on the popular gaming franchise accommodates itself in the overarching Tomb Raider timeline by unfolding after the events of Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Although it primarily follows a standalone narrative, it drops a few references to the game trilogy it is set after.

The Netflix series does not achieve anything groundbreaking and seems reminiscent of previous Tomb Raider screen adaptations in more ways than one. However, the fact that it sets itself in an existing game trilogy's timeline allows it to etch its own unique identity among other Tomb Raider adaptations. Its direct connection with the game also helps it overcome one pitfall that held the 2018 Tomb Raider reboot movie from resonating with audiences.

The Legend Of Lara Croft Uses Tomb Raider’s Supporting Characters From The Games

The Side Characters Are Treated As Important Players In Lara Croft's Narrative

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Similar to other Tomb Raider live-action adaptations, the Alicia Vikander movie also struggles to accommodate side characters from the games. It primarily focuses on Lara Croft's journey while dismissing all the rich supporting characters who are supposed to help her along the way. Fortunately, Netflix's Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft does not repeat the same mistake. Benefitting from its episodic format and longer runtime, the show gives enough screen time to all the friends and family members Lara teams up with to ultimately complete her quests.

Related Who Is Sam In Tomb Raider? The Legend Of Lara Croft’s Character Tease Explained Netflix's Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft introduces a new character named Sam in its ending moments, making it hard not to wonder who she is.

Even characters like Zip, who acts as tech support for Lara and works from behind the scenes to help Lara, get enough exposure in the Netflix series. The show's emphasis on their role in Lara's missions allows viewers to appreciate her dynamic with her allies and understand how their involvement influences her growth as a character. While the 2018 Tomb Raider movie primarily establishes Lara Croft as a singular force to be reckoned with, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft portrays her more as a team player, which is more accurate to her portrayal from the original games.

2018’s Tomb Raider Made Big Changes To The Game Despite Getting A Lot Of Things Right

The Movie Flosses Over Some Important Details From The Games

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After watching the 2018 Tomb Raider movie, it is hard not to appreciate how it accurately captures many moments from the games, and, to some extent, even improves them. For instance, the scene where Lara Croft dukes it out with a mercenary seems even more intense in the movie than in the game because of Alicia Vikander's performance and the movie's gripping fight choreography. Like her counterpart in the 2013 game, Lara from the 2018 movie also gets washed up on the shores of Yamatai before getting knocked unconscious.

Cara Delevingne reportedly auditioned for the role of Lara Croft in the 2018 Tomb Raider film but lost it to Alicia Vikander.

However, despite recreating some epic moments from the 2013 game, the movie introduces questionable changes to the original lore. While the 2013 game establishes Lara's father was an accomplished archeologist before one incident ruined his reputation, the film suggests he practiced archeology in secret. Apart from that, the movie also changes why Lara visits Yamatai while not including some of her allies in its roster. Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, in contrast, seems to be loyal to most elements from the games' lore.

Netflix’s Lara Croft Show Had One Big Advantage Over The 2018 Tomb Raider Reboot

The Show Is Set In The Same Universe As A Game Trilogy

Unlike the 2018 movie, Netflix's Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft benefits from being set in the same universe as the reboot game trilogy. It unfolds directly after the events of Shadow of the Tomb Raider, allowing it to riff on the established lore in the games. The 2018 Tomb Raider movie, on the other hand, bears the burden of rebooting everything from Lara Croft's origin story to her relationship with her father. Its lack of continuity with the games prevents it from having the same level of emotional depth and familiarity as Netflix's Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft.