It is a little sad how most adaptations either ignore her or make her straight. I am really happy that the 2024 movie included her and actually showed her in a lesbian relationship. I thought that this inclusion and the way it was written was long overdue. She was not sexualized, she had dignity, and she was actually allowed to exist as a lesbian character.
I know people have mixed feelings on the 2024 movie. And on first watch I had my issues as well, but on rewatch I have to say Pierre Niney is really great as the Count. He might be my favorite actor to play that character.
There is just something great about a French actor playing this French character. Especially after watching the show, which I personally think feels a little inauthentic here and there, I really came to appreciate this movie more.
Do I like all the changes? Not really, but I can also understand that adapting a book this long into a movie is really difficult.
I also enjoy the approach to turn him into a Batman/Bruce Wayne ish character a little more. Because in a way he is a little bit of a superhero in the book, and using visual language that reminds us of Batman movies is not the worst idea for modern audiences. It makes this version stick out a little more.
I was scrolling on tiktok and found Half Man edits. At first I thought they were fan made but no, they are from the official HBO account, and those edits make it seem like the relationship between the brothers is some sort of queer romance.
Considering the subject matter, it feels a little inappropriate to market this show like this. They seem to want the Heated Rivalry Fanbase.
And now I understand why there are people on twitter and tiktok and even here who talk about this like it's some sloppy MLM romance book, or other people who are just shocked at what they are watching.
The marketing is making them believe that this show is something it's not.