‘Maker of Tears’: The differences between the book and the Netflix movie (the ending is not the same)

The movie ‘Maker of Tears’, released by Netflix, is an adaptation of the novel of the same name written by Erin Doom.

The story follows Nika and Rigel, two orphans adopted by the same family who live a love story. Although the film retains the essence of the story, there are notable differences between the book and its film version, and we list them below.

1. The character of Margarita

• Book: In the novel, Nika and Rigel share their complicated history with their childhood mother: Margaret Stoker. Margaret abused Nika, but Rigel was her favorite and the only child to escape her cruelty.

• Film: Although the relationship with the matron in the film is maintained, it differs in one crucial aspect. While in the book, Margaret was replaced by Mrs. Fridge when Nica was 12, in the movie Margaret is still working at the orphanage when Nica and Rigel are adopted.

2. Nica and Rigel’s relationship

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• Book: The novel, with its 550 pages, gradually builds the physical relationship between Nika and Rigel. After much tension, it is finally consumed. However, the film, with a duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes, accelerates this process. Rigel’s intense fever, which renders him unconscious, is the turning point in both versions.

• Film: In the movie, this scene also marks the first physical approach between Nica and Rigel (since she has to put everything together in almost 2 hours), while in the book, Rigel is sleeping and Nica is taking care of him.

3. The last fight between Rigel and Lionel

• Book: The rivalry between Lionel, who is in love with Nika, and Rigel, who doesn’t trust him, comes to a head in the final scene of the novel, when the two come face to face.

• Film: In the movie version, the rivalry comes to a head during a school dance, which is not the case in the book. Additionally, there is a scene where Nika attends Lionel’s party where he is aggressive towards her. At the dance, Lionel is sober while Rigel defends Nica, who is drunk. A near fatal incident that follows this scene marks a pivotal moment in the plot, after Nica and Rigel have sex for the first time.

4. The character of Asia

• Book: Asia is a minor character in the book, but she is important to the story as Nika confronts her and proves that she is not there to replace her deceased stepson. Asia is having a hard time accepting it.

• Film: Asia’s character is the same, but she only appears in two scenes: in the first she reacts badly to Nica’s presence, and in the second at the end, when she ends up accepting her.

5. The fend of story

• Book: The novel concludes with Nika testifying against Margaret while Rigel remains in a coma for months. Nika sits next to him, tells him stories and tries to wake him up. We never know if he will actually wake up or not.

• Film: In the movie, Nika testifies and then visits the hospital, where she finds Rigel still in a coma, but wakes up when she tells him they won the case. In addition, we see a series of images that make up their lives as children.

Although the film captures the essence of “Maker of Tears”, the differences between the book and the film version offer different perspectives and experiences for viewers and readers. Both ways of telling the story have their own charm and allow you to appreciate the creativity behind the adaptation.