Why Andy Serkis’ New Adaptation Of 81-Year-Old Dystopian Novel Changes The Dark OG Ending

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This article contains spoilers from Animal Farm.

Andy Serkis‘ new animated film Animal Farm has a different ending than the original novel.

The movie Animal Farm is inspired by George Orwell’s 1945 novel of the same name, and deals with topics like dishonesty, the spread of misinformation, and oppressive government. Director Terry Gilliam explained to Liam Crowley at ScreenRant why he chose to end the film with a more optimistic tone, despite the bleakness of Orwell’s original story.

Andy Serkis shared that given how difficult things are in the world right now, he wanted viewers of Animal Farm to feel hopeful. He believes history tends to repeat itself, and that we must continue to strive for positive change. Serkis, who considers himself an optimist, chose to end the film on a hopeful note, reflecting his own outlook during uncertain times.

At the very end of the movie, he included a message stating, “This film is dedicated to everyone who is suffering, your moment of liberation will arrive, and to everyone who causes that suffering, your time will eventually run out.”

I think the world feels really difficult right now. I wanted to create something hopeful, a reminder that even though history often repeats itself, we have to keep trying. We need to learn from our mistakes, reset, and try again. I’m an optimist, and I included a quote at the end of the film – I hope people stay to see it! It’s dedicated to both those who are suffering and those who are causing that suffering, with the message that everyone’s time will eventually come to an end, and a better future is possible. That’s what I hope will happen in life, because nothing stays the same forever.

The novel Animal Farm concludes on a decidedly pessimistic note, offering no sense of hope. While the animated film adaptation is somewhat more optimistic, it doesn’t provide a complete resolution. As director Andy Serkis explained, the character Lucky is still left grappling with the need to rebuild and start anew. Ultimately, the message is that even when things are difficult, perseverance is essential.

The story feels cyclical, like a repeating pattern. However, while the book concludes on a rather pessimistic note, I wanted to leave the audience with a sense of resilience. It’s not a neat and tidy ending where everything is resolved. Lucky is still grappling with things, essentially needing to start over and reflect on what’s been learned. It avoids a typical, feel-good Hollywood conclusion. We make it clear that things won’t be easy, but emphasize the importance of continuing to persevere.

Animal Farm tells the story of a group of animals who try to build a society where everyone is free and equal. Unfortunately, their efforts are undermined by a new, controlling leader.

Andy Serkis not only directed and produced the film, but he also provided the voices for several characters. He worked with a fantastic cast including Seth Rogen, Gaten Matarazzo, Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close, Steve Buscemi, Laverne Cox, Woody Harrelson, Jim Parsons, Kathleen Turner, and Iman Vellani.

Andy Serkis is famous for his performance as Gollum in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film series. He also brought the character of Caesar to life through voice work and motion capture in the Planet of the Apes trilogy. Beyond these iconic roles, Serkis has lent his talents to numerous other major films, including The Adventures of Tintin, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Star Wars, Black Panther, The Batman, and Venom: The Last Dance.

Andy Serkis has expanded his work beyond acting, starting as a second unit director on The Hobbit movies. Animal Farm is his fourth feature film as director, following Breathe, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, and Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

The movie Animal Farm has received generally negative reviews from critics, earning a 26% score on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s predicted to make under $5 million during its opening weekend.

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2026-05-01 22:12