Me Before You

Released in 2016, the film adaptation of Me Before You stars Emilia Clarke as Louisa Clark and Sam Claflin as Will Traynor. Clarke is best known for her role in the successful television adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones; Claflin is best known for his role in the Catching Fire and Mockingjay film adaptations. The Me Before You film was the directorial debut of Thea Sharrock. The film was shot in various locations across the United Kingdom and featured Pembroke Castle in Wales as the castle in Louisa’s hometown.

The Me Before You film closely follows the novel, with only a few changes in plot. While the novel has Camilla Traynor convince Louisa to come to Switzerland, the film shows Louisa choosing to follow Will on her own. Costume designer Jill Taylor took great care in developing Louisa’s unique style. As for Will, Claflin stated that his role was one of his most physically challenging roles. Me Before You grossed over $208.3 million against a budget of $20 million. Critical response to the film was mixed, and international protests arose in response to the film’s perceived message of individuals with disabilities being burdens to their families. Another critique was that the film conveys the idea that people with disabilities are “better dead than disabled” (Gilbey, Ryan. “‘I’m Not a Thing to Be Pitied’: The Disability Backlash in Me Before You.” The Guardian, 2 June 2016). In response, Moyes emphasized Will’s story as an individual story and not a larger message about the necessity of euthanasia. The inspiration for Will’s story derived from her own family’s experiences with caregiving and a news story about a quadriplegic man.