I first read ND Stevenson’s Nimona back in high school, a year or two after it was published in 2015. (Published by HarperCollins, that is – it began as a webcomic in 2012.) There was much to love the comic book-esque art style, the moments of both humor and depth, and the memorable characters. But it was Nimona’s ending that stayed with me the most.
I’d never before read a book before with an open ending. Maybe open isn’t quite the right word. Nimona finished on a somewhat tragic note, emphasizing the bitter of bittersweet. There were two cute Christmas comics in the book’s last pages, but they both took place before the events of Nimona. This was all we had of this world.
Given my mixed-up feelings over the book, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Nimona hit Netflix screens in June of this year. I hadn’t thought about the graphic novel in years, and I was curious how it would translate into a movie. Would the ending stay the same?
But we, as the audience, are given so much more than we could’ve expected. Nimona’s story isn’t only adapted, it’s heightened. Her character is given not only the backstory but the future she deserves.
Let’s start from the beginning, shall we?
In the Nimona book, Ballister Blackheart is already a villain at the story’s beginning. When Nimona catapults herself into his life, she’s determined to find a kindred spirit in him. As a shapeshifter, Nimona is able to help Ballister fight the Institute that disowned him years ago. However, Ambrosius Goldenloin – the pride of the Institute and Ballister’s ex – has been tasked with taking down the rising villains. As secrets about Nimona’s true origins slowly come to light, Ballister is forced to decide where his loyalties lie, and if he will be able to protect those he loves.
In the Nimona movie, however, the set-up is altered. We get a look at Ballister and Ambrosius’s life before the former became a villain. However, instead of Ballister becoming disarmed by a jealous Ambrosius and turning to villainy after being cast out, these events all happen in one fell swoop. Ballister is framed for the murder of the queen, casting him into instant danger. Nimona finds Ballister as he’s attempting to clear his name, but he’s slowly coming to realize that the Institute cannot be blindly trusted. As Ballister attempts to reconcile his loyalty to the Institute with his connection to Ambrosius, he comes to learn that Nimona is not all she claims to be. But how much does he need to know about her to know that she’s a friend?
There’s much to love about both versions of Stevenson’s hilarious and touching story. The graphic novel is fantastically illustrated and surprisingly immersive. The movie’s techno-medieval setting is even more fascinating than the book’s, and Nimona’s extended flashback scene at the climax is both emotional and heartbreaking. The queer themes in Nimona are given a much stronger atmosphere in the movie, as well as the motifs of fighting for yourself and those who aren’t yet able. But, when it comes down to it, the most significant change from book to screen is found at the story’s ending.
Nimona’s “death” varies greatly from book to movie. In the book, the Director attempts to run tests on Nimona by experimenting on her. Splitting herself into two halves, Nimona attacks the Institute, killing the Director. Ballister attempts to stop her, but he ultimately fails to reach out far enough. Nimona’s split soul comes together, seemingly dying as the Institute is purged.
Afterward, while he is watching over Ambrosius in the hospital, Ballister tells a doctor that Nimona wasn’t a monster. He realizes that this doctor was Nimona in disguise, and he chases after her. All he gets, however, is one last wave before Nimona disappears into the crowd. Ballister never sees her again.
Things are different in the movie. When Ballister turns on her, Nimona fully snaps. She succumbs to the darkness inside of her, becoming a terrifying beast. However, before she can destroy herself entirely, Ballister stops her. He apologizes, and she becomes herself again. But the Director is unsatisfied with this outcome. She attempts to defeat Nimona with a laser cannon large enough to kill many civilians. Shifting form once more, Nimona takes down the cannon and the Director with it – but she sacrifices herself in the process.
As in the book, Ballister returns to Ambrosius, but he still grieves for Nimona. However, when he visits their old lair, he hears her voice behind his back. Nimona has survived.
So, Nimona lives, just as she has before. But what makes this time so different? Why is the movie’s conclusion so much stronger and more emotional than the book’s?
The answer is that Nimona didn’t just live – she returned. She came back to Ballister when she didn’t before. And why was that?
This is why: in the book’s end, Ballister hopes that Nimona knows that he is a friend. In the movie’s end, Ballister shows it.
In the book, Ballister isn’t able to convince the world to accept Nimona. In the movie, he is. In the book, Ballister is the only one to mourn Nimona. In the movie, everyone does. In the book, Ballister is unable to show Nimona how much he cares. In the movie, he does.
In the book, Ballister hasn’t done enough for Nimona for her to stay. In the movie, he has.
In the book, Ballister’s relationship with Nimona ends on the last page. In the movie, they’re given the chance to continue growing together.
Finally, over ten years after her inception, Nimona is able to have her happy ending. This time, she’s not alone. Not anymore.
