Knives and Kim’s relationship inScott Pilgrimwasn’t explored inScott Pilgrim vs. The Worldor even the 2023 animeScott Pilgrim Takes Off,but it’s one of the most satisfying teases of the comic and video game. Director Edgar Wright’sScott Pilgrim vs. The Worldbrought Bryan Lee O’Malley’sScott Pilgrimcomics to live-action in 2010. While the film went on to become a cult hit with a strong following, it severely mishandled the characters of Knives (Ellen Wong) and Kim (Alison Pill).
However, the comic books and2014 video gameScott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Gamehint at a much more satisfying ending for Knives and Kim.Scott Pilgrim Takes Offgave both Knives and Kim a little more autonomy than the 2010 movie, but didn’t put them together as one-another’s love interest. However, as many fans have pointed out, the ending of Kim and Knives’ story hinted at in the game and a key comic book moment is an incredibly satisfying ending for both of them - an ending that helps undo some of the mishandling of both inScott Pilgrim vs. The World.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: How The Comic Characters Look Vs. The Cast
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Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World Mishandled Knives Chau
Scott’s High School Girlfriend Was Disrespected By The Ending
2010’sScott Pilgrim vs. The Worldhas become a cult-favorite video game-inspired movie, but it’s not without its flaws and criticisms. In particular, one aspect of director Edgar Wright’s adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s comic-book series that’s been repeatedly scrutinized is how the live-action movie handled the character of Knives Chau.
Much like in theScott Pilgrimcomics, Scott and Knives are dating at the start of the 2010 movie despite her being a high schooler. Scott quickly loses interest in Knives when he meets Ramona. The pain and heartbreak cause Knives to begin acting erratically. She’s clearly heartbroken, and at the film’s end, she even tries to fight Ramona.While Scott apologizes to her eventually, it’s not the moment the cathartic moment of justice for Knives that it should have been.
Many viewers in the years since have felt that Knives deserved better inScott Pilgrim vs. The World.The film portrays her as an emotionally immature high schooler, but in reality, she’s a victim of Scott’s lack of emotional development. She’s much less one-dimensional in the comic books, and the 2023 animeScott Pilgrim Takes Offalso gives her a much more satisfying story arc.
TheScott Pilgrim vs. The Worldvideo game has a much more rewarding story conclusion for Knives too, one that sees her finding happiness with Kim.However, while satisfying, all of these serve to make how much the 2010 mishandled Knives Chau even more impossible to ignore.
Kim Is Used As Comic Relief In The Scott Pilgrim Movie
The Sex Bob-omb Drummer Is One Dimensional In Live Action
Knives Chau isn’t the only character that 2010’sScott Pilgrim vs. The Worlddoesn’t handle too well. Sex Bob-omb drummer Kim Pine is also portrayed with much less emotional depth than her on-page counterpart. While Kim inScott Pilgrim vs. The Worldisn’t as problematic as the movie’s version of Knives, Edgar Wright’s movie still didn’t do the character much justice.
Just like Knives Chau, Kim inScott Pilgrimis a victim of Scott’s emotional immaturity and inability to commit to a relationship prior to meeting Ramona Flowers.In theScott Pilgrimcomics, Kim is a central character, and the way Scott’s actions hurt her is addressed throughout Bryan Lee O’Malley’s story. However, 2010’sScott Pilgrim vs. The Worldreduces Kim to the role of 1-dimensional comic relief.
WhileAlison Pill’s performance as KiminScott Pilgrim vs. The Worldis hilarious, it doesn’t really capture Kim’s character or address the issues with how Scott ended their relationship.Just like with Knives, there is a moment at the end of the 2010 movie that sees Scott apologize to Kim, though it’s far from the redemption-worthy act the film treats it as.
Kim And Knives Didn’t Interact Much In Live Action
Both Characters Don’t Matter Much Outside Of Scott’s Story
The reasons that Knives and Kim being in a relationship is so surprising to fans unfamiliar with the comic books is simple - the pair rarely interact inScott Pilgrim vs. The World.Both Knives and Kim are central characters in Bryan Lee O’MalleysScott Pilgrimcomics. They both interact with other characters besides Scott much more than in the 2010 movie. This includes with one another. In fact,the relationship between Knives and Kim in more-or-less every other version ofScott Pilgrimis the polar opposite of how the pair are portrayed when sharing a screenin Edgar Wright’s adaptation.
InScott Pilgrim vs. The World,Kim sees Knives as little more than an irritating Sex Bob-omb groupie. Her disdain for Knives is evident. However, in the comic books, the pair form a close friendship and, eventually, something more.While it may not seem it going by the live-action version of the story alone, Kim and Knives ending up together makes a lot of sense.It allows both to find happiness and is an incredibly cathartic ending to their story. It rewards both characters and does them justice in a way that Scott’s half-hearted apology at the end ofScott Pilgrim vs. The Worlddoesn’t.
The Scott Pilgrim Comics And Game Hint At A Knives And Kim Relationship
Knives And Kim Have A Romance Arc
While Kim and Knives never officially became a couple in theScott Pilgrimcomics, Bryan Lee O’Malley hinted many times that there were romantic feelings between the two. In the comics, Kim starts off as much more protective of Knives given that Knives is 17 and Scott is 23. However,a specific moment in Volume 4 reveals how the feelings Kim has for Knives evolve into something more.
At a party inScott PilgrimVolume 4, Knives and Kim have a makeout session when drunk. While this isn’t revisited again in the comics (Kim goes on to date Jason shortly afterward),2014’sScott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Gameconfirmed that Knives and Kim would end up together. Completing the game with Kim reveals and ending where Kim and Knives begin dating. Also, using one of Kim’s special attacks causes Knives to jump onto the screen and kiss Kim, damaging all enemies present.
Kim And Knives Ending Up Together Does Justice To Both Their Characters
The Pair Deserve A Happy Ending
While there’s currentlynot a newScott Pilgrimmovie in the works and Netflix has canceled the animeScott Pilgrim Takes Off,it doesn’t look like there’s going to be an opportunity for Knives and Kim’s relationship to be explored in full. However,it is still clear to see whyScott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Gamedecided to give the pair a happy ending which saw them romantically paired.
Both Kim and Knives had disappointing character arcs inScott Pilgrim vs. The World.Scott’s actions had hurt both of them, especially Knives, and his brief apology (which he only gave after being given a second chance to face Gideon Graves) didn’t really make up for the pain they felt.While both characters in the movie seemed satisfied with Scott apologizing, this didn’t sit right with many viewers.
Having Kim and Knives end up together is a much more satisfying ending for both of their character arcs inScott Pilgrim.If any two characters in the franchise deserved a happy ending, it was Knives and Kim. If there was ever another attempt to adapt the story into live-action and remakeScott Pilgrim vs. The World,having a Knives and Kim relationship by the end would be a great way to do justice to their characters.
Scott Pilgrim
TheScott Pilgrimfranchise, created by Bryan Lee O’Malley, follows Scott, a young musician, as he fights the “League of Evil Exes” of his love interest, Ramona Flowers. The franchise includes graphic novels, a cult-favorite film adaptation, and the animated Netflix seriesScott Pilgrim Takes Off. Known for its blend of romance, comedy, and video game-inspired action, it has developed a lasting following.
