Death Stranding: Mosquito and A24 Shine, But Miss the Big Issue

Although Hideo Kojima might be leaving theDeath Strandingfranchise after the launch of the highly praisedDS2: On the Beach, the series is not being allowed to remain stagnant. Not only is there an upcoming world tour that will focus on the music of theDeath Strandingfranchise, but there are two movies in development. The first is a live-action project from the acclaimed horror studio A24, while the second is an animated film that is currently underworking title of Death Stranding: MosquitoThere is valid cause for hope regarding both these initiatives, yet they employ a method that might leave gaming enthusiasts desiring additional content.

Both the live-action movie and anime will center around new characters and narratives, implying that fans expecting to see more of Sam Porter Bridges, Tomorrow, and the others will be disappointed.Death StrandingThe secondary actors are not in a favorable position. While brief appearances can’t be completely dismissed, neither film is expected to carry the story forward in a significant manner. The advantages of this method are clear, yet there is a noticeable downside that cannot be overlooked:Death Strandingis missing two obvious chances to continue the pseudo-cliffhanger fromDS2’s post-credits scene.

The Post-Credits Scene in Death Stranding 2 Might Not Be Further Developed

Although Hideo Kojima has mentioned that he has a concept for a thirdDeath Strandinga game on a flash drive filled with ideas for Kojima Productions to explore someday, he has also mentioned that he probably won’t be the one to develop it. With Kojima’s calendar full because of theupcoming horror game OD and Physint, another Death Strandingthe game would definitely need to be developed under a different director’s supervision, and similarlyMetal Gear Solid,there might be some resistance to continuing the series without Kojima leading it. Although there is definitely still a possibilityDeath Stranding 3could occur, it appears relatively unlikely, suggesting that the two movies might have served as a lifeline for those eager to witness the story’s continuation.

Death Stranding 2A cliffhanger of sorts appeared to indicate a leap forward in time, as Tomorrow features Porter’s attire, a new hairstyle, and items gathered from all her previous friends. She is seen looking down a new plate gate, implying a future where she continues Sam’s mission to connect the rest of the world. WhereTomorrowIt’s unclear what happened to the father and the other characters, but the scene clearly suggests they may have died or are separated in some way. Although the post-credits scene isn’t as urgent for a follow-up as previous cliffhangers, the fact remains that Asia and Europe aren’t connected by players, leaving fans with a sense that their mission of reuniting the world isn’t complete. One or both of the films could have offered this resolution, but neither does, meaning fans might always wonder what could have been.

That being said, the films in Death Stranding being independent is probably the best way to go.

Nevertheless, although gaming enthusiasts might have appreciated either the animated film or the A24 movie delving into Tomorrow’s narrative and covering whata potential Death Stranding 3could have, there are clear advantages to the independent method:

• Telling collection stories with theDeath StrandingThe brand enables newcomers, even those unfamiliar with the games, to try out the films, possibly expanding the IP’s fan base.
• Not proceeding with the narrative implies that prospective viewers won’t feel compelled to complete the games before watching the movies, as they can simply start at the time of release.
• Animated movies can delve into various aspects ofDeath Stranding’s deep lore, covering topics that the games only briefly mentioned.
• The Death StrandingMovies can present new ideas and characters that might be incorporated into a future game, if it is ever made.
• Rather than having to manage ongoing changes in tone such as theDeath StrandingGames do, creatives can focus on specific elements like the frightening BTs to remain closely aligned with one genre.

There is much to admire in whatKojima Productions is doing with its Death Strandingseries, as A24 appears to be a perfect filmmaking collaborator for the studio, andDeath Stranding: MosquitoHis artistic style is truly breathtaking. Still, for those wanting to see all the other continents connected to the Chiral Network, or hoping to discover if Tomorrow is truly alone in the flash forward, neither film will address those points.