Unsurprisingly, there are some major differences between the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy and the books that it was based on.
Anna and Christian Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey film adaptation
The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy generated buzz in Hollywood and audiences when it started in 2015. It’s the first romantic/drama erotica film to gain such mainstream popularity for both good and bad. The original film was an adaptation of a popular book by E.L. James that was completed as a trilogy with the sequel adaptations Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed.
Some fans found the trilogy to be too far fetched when it came to a realistic representation of a BDSM relationship, while others thought that the shoddy dialogue and plotlines only worsened the story. Regardless, the trilogy became a phenomenon that audiences couldn’t help but go watch. It even led to a rise in book sales! But just how different is the story of cold CEO Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan), Anastasia Steel (Dakota Johnson) and the supporting character compared to the film trilogy?
Leila Actually Shoots Anna
Bella Heathcote as Leila in Fifty Shades Darker
In Fifty Shades Darker, Anna deals with two obsessive stalkers, one being Christian’s past submissive Leila (Bella Heathcote). According to the film, Leila became attached to Christian and wanted more but after she left, she found love and was okay. That’s until her husband dies in a fatal accident. She then tries to go back to Christian but is distraught to see him with Ana.
This leads to Leila stalking Ana and at one point, she breaks into her apartment with a gun. In the film, Christian manages to defuse the situation and even gets her to submit almost immediately. In the book, there’s more drama as Leila actually shoots at Ana instead of aiming elsewhere.
The Infamous Period Sex Scene Was Cut
Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson in Fifty Shades Of Grey
One of the most noted exclusions from the first book’s transition to film was the infamous period intercourse. It’s understandable that when it comes to an onscreen adaptation, certain intimate elements are better left out. This was certainly a scene that wouldn’t have translated well and would have shocked audiences in the wrong way.
In the book, Christian is open to trying almost anything when it comes to intercourse or pleasure. Ana’s pesky time of the month doesn’t deter him at all. Instead, he’s cool as a cucumber and even removes Ana’s tampon. This certainly shocked yet somehow aroused Ana. Though some fans missed it, most were unsurprised that this risqué scene was cut.
There Are Fewer Sex Scenes
Dakota Johnson as Ana in Fifty Shades Freed
The time-lapse used for all three films is not enough time to digress into how much sex Ana and Christian have throughout the books. The books are riddled with their sexual escapades in all forms in various locations.
A major difference is that audiences got a more “vanilla” form of just how devious the two are in the bedroom in Fifty Shades Darker. While the spreader, certain spherical pleasure tools, and Ana drawing on Christian with lipstick are all from the book, kinkier instances were dropped. But in the third book, a lot of sexually charged scenes were cut out. For example, the couple shaving each other or having intercourse to be part of the “mile high club” was nowhere seen in Fifty Shades Freed’s film.
Ana Has No Inner Goddess
Anastasia Steele in Fifty Shades of Grey film
One aspect of Ana’s character that fans were somewhat okay with being left out was her “Inner Goddess.” From the moment readers meet Ana she has an Inner Goddess that acts as the voice in her head. But this voice isn’t exactly normal by most standards. The voice is more eccentric and daring than Ana normally is, and it certainly has an appetite for Christian.
It’s almost as if the Inner Goddess is a different persona that can come off as a bit creepy. Ana’s thought process with her Inner Goddess includes lines such as: “My Inner Goddess looks like someone snatched her ice cream,” or “My Inner Goddess is spinning like a world-class ballerina, pirouette after pirouette.”
Jack Hyde Is A More Persistent Stalker
Eric Johnson as Jack Hyde in Fifty Shades Darker
Fans can agree that the films snipped many plot aspects to try and fit as much possible in roughly six hours of screen time. This led to certain characters not being developed properly, especially in Fifty Shades Darker. The second film deals with a lot of stalking and obsession from outsiders including Jack Hyde (Eric Johnson), Ana’s boss.
The sequel has him fired from the publishing company early on for making rude sexual advances towards Ana. In the book, he gets fired much lat
er on in order to develop a creepier and more obsessive character at the workplace. Because Jack gets fired early on in the film, he becomes a more persistent stalker than a gradual one. Some of his stalking acts include sneaking into Grey’s family home to snoop and even watch from afar.
Elliot Proposes To Kate In A Club (For Some Reason)
Eloise Mumford and Luke Grimes in Fifty Shades of Grey Freed
Besides Christian and Anna’s relationship, audiences see a kindling romance brew between Kate (Eloise Mumford) and Christian’s brother, Elliot (Luke Grimes). By Fifty Shades Freed, they’re in love and getting very serious. An aspect that differed from the book to films regarding this relationship was how Elliot popped the question.
In the book, Elliot does the heartfelt and romantic plan of proposing to Kate in a fancy restaurant. For the film, the venue was switched to a noisy night club, and the change left fans perplexed. It’s not exactly romantic, but they’re surrounded by their loved ones so it makes up for it.
There’s No Dr. Flynn
Christian Grey sitting down holding a glass in Fifty Shades Freed
For logistical reasons, the films cut out certain book characters. One of them was Ethan, a romantic interest to Christian’s sister. The other was Dr. Flynn, who played a vital role as Christian’s therapist who helps him deal with emotions, his BDSM relationships and childhood trauma.
In the film trilogy, Dr. Flynn simply doesn’t exist. As a result, audiences don’t get to see the more vulnerable side of Christian and how someone as controlling as he would tick in that form of environment. Even worse, humanizing scenes like Dr. Flynn approving of Ana are missing.
Leila Is Not The Only Ex-Submissive
Leila in Fifty Shades Darker
Fifty Shades Freed only touched upon one of Christian’s past submissives, which is Leila. She becomes the central focus but in the book, she’s not the only submissive around. The book introduces another submissive in Susi. For time’s sake and other plot elements that needed to occur, she was cut out.
The book introduces Susi in one scene where she and Leila go visit Ana at work. This scene is never included in the film, and it would have added an even deeper level of drama. When this occurs, Christian goes a bit crazy and scolds Ana’s bodyguard.
Kate Never Finds Out About The Contract
Ana in end scene of Fifty Shades of Grey
While Kate is a good friend to Ana, she is blissfully unaware of the real relationship she and Christian have. This means she is also unaware of the contract. But in the second book, this isn’t so. Kate finds the email exchanges about the contract between Christian and Ana on Ana’s computer, and she then grills Ana about.
In the film, Kate has no idea about it. She remains completely in the dark about their BDSM relationship and instead just sees Christian as being a bit possessive about the woman he loves.
Mrs. Jones & Taylor Never Happen
Fay Masterson as Mrs. Jones and Max Martini as Taylor in Fifty Shades films
There’s a couple of budding romance in the books that never made it on-screen, one of them being between Christian’s housekeeper, Mrs. Jones (Fay Masterson) and his trusted bodyguard, Taylor (Max Martini). Audiences only see Mrs. Jones a handful of times while Taylor just stays by Christian’s side.
In the books, these two end up having a steamy yet cute romance. At one point, Ana even catches the two kissing in secret. Sadly, this relationship never blossoms since it has no vital importance to the main storyline.
