Hollywood and video game adaptations have long had a tumultuous relationship, with some films enjoying success while others face a barrage of criticism from fans and reviewers. Before Mark Wahlberg stepped into the role of Sully in “Uncharted,” he had already dipped his toes into this challenging genre with the film “Max Payne,” which was produced with an $85 million budget and featured a strong cast and stylish visuals. However, Wahlberg’s skepticism about video game adaptations raised questions even before production commenced.
Upon being approached for “Max Payne,” Wahlberg did not display overwhelming excitement. Even though the video game had a dedicated cult following and a gritty, neo-noir storyline, Wahlberg admitted he was not initially familiar with the source material. His surprise turned to apprehension once he discovered that the film was an adaptation of a video game. In an interview with Bobbie Wygant, he candidly expressed, “I was not. I read the script and loved it and then they told me that it was based on a video game and it was a bit of a red flag for me because I don’t know that video games could be turned into movies.” This reveals his hesitance, especially considering his background with video games limited to simpler ones like “Pac-Man.” Despite his reservations, he took the plunge and opted to check out the game, finding the story compelling and cinematic, which prompted him to believe a film adaptation could work.
Nevertheless, Wahlberg’s skepticism about adapting a beloved video game into a full-length feature was not unfounded. At that time, Hollywood had yet to master the art of transforming video games into engaging movies. His instincts were undoubtedly at play when he decided to take on the role, perhaps envisioning the potential for a stylish action thriller worthy of the game’s reputation. Ultimately, his decision to proceed highlighted his faith in the material, which was a decision he may have questioned as the project unfolded.
Despite the success of its predecessor, “Max Payne 2,” the film itself failed to hit the mark. Rather than becoming the anticipated action-packed thriller, “Max Payne” faltered, ultimately flopping at the box office. Examine the potential it had—an established fan base, a compelling narrative rooted in gritty noir films, and exciting action sequences—but somewhere along the line, the execution fell short.
The film’s over-serious tone was one of its major pitfalls. Instead of effectively balancing its dark themes with exhilarating actions while maintaining a self-aware narrative, the adaptation became bogged down in gloominess, which overshadowed any fun elements. Signature slow-motion gunfights, a hallmark of the game, lost their thrill in the film, failing to recreate the excitement that made them memorable to fans.
A brutal critical response followed. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes did not hold back—”Max Payne” was condemned for its disjointed storytelling, underdeveloped characters, and lack of emotional depth. The supernatural elements, which were supposed to enhance the cinematic experience, ended up feeling out of place, and the pacing left much to be desired. Fans of the game publicly lamented how far the movie strayed from the source material. Despite these failures, Wahlberg received praise for his effort to salvage the film and deliver a solid performance.
Although “Max Payne” saw decent box office returns thanks to initial curiosity from moviegoers, its momentum quickly faded, relegating it to the annals of forgettable video game adaptations. Wahlberg would go on to pursue larger projects, while Hollywood was reminded yet again of the difficulties in translating video games to film. While “Max Payne” is currently streaming on Apple TV, it serves as a reminder of the skepticism that Mark Wahlberg had about video game adaptations—and how those doubts were ultimately validated.