Alex Garland's Quest: Seven Playthroughs and the Battle Against Malenia

  • 23-06-2025 |
  • Courtney Millhouse

Alex Garland, the director set to bring the live-action adaptation of Elden Ring to life in collaboration with A24, recently shared his personal connection with the immersive world of the game during an interview with a popular gaming outlet. His background is more rooted in filmmaking than in gaming; however, his experiences in the challenging universe of Elden Ring demonstrate a deep familiarity with the game’s demanding nature.

Garland revealed that he is now navigating his seventh complete playthrough, a journey that has tested his skills repeatedly. He identified one particular adversary, known as Malenia, as the most challenging opponent in his quest. His method, refined during countless hours with similar titles, involves a relentless cycle of repeated attempts, where persistence eventually leads to overcoming even the most daunting challenges.

His detailed experience with FromSoftware titles is evidence that his on-screen vision is backed by firsthand expertise in the intense and complex game dynamics. The insights he provided serve as a testament to the depth of familiarity he has with this genre, potentially opening the door to further explorations of similar properties from the studio if the film achieves success.

  • Direct involvement in adapting a renowned game into a live-action feature.
  • Currently deep into his seventh playthrough.
  • Identifies Malenia as the greatest challenge encountered.
  • Utilizes a persistent, trial-based approach honed from previous experiences.
  • Possibly exploring other projects from the same gaming universe.