'Westworld' movie vs. the HBO show: What are the big differences?

Culture

Before HBO's Westworld came the 1973 movie of the same name. Written and directed by Michael Crichton, the film was about an amusement park called Delos where robots aided guests in indulging in their wildest fantasies. The TV series certainly started off with that plot line, but has made a lot of changes from the big screen.

[Editor's note: This article includes spoilers from the Westworld movie and TV show.]

The arrival

HBO viewers haven't exactly seen the outside world, but in the movie the guests are brought to Delos via some sort of hovercraft. The train that's featured on the TV show doesn't exist.

The Hosts

The main draw to Westworld is that the robots look just like humans. It's nearly impossible to tell the Hosts apart from the humans on the TV show — just think about that Bernard reveal! 

The Hosts in the movies do have one thing that clearly separates them from the humans. The people who created them had trouble with the hands, which is why every robot has distinctive creases where their fingers bend.

The treatment of Hosts

Both Westworld's are the same in that many guests visit the park to either have sex with a robot or kill one. However, the staff at least appears to treat the Hosts with more respect. Unlike the HBO show, the Hosts are not naked in the movie when they return for maintenance. It's important to note that the movie's also rated PG.

Technology

Of course technology has gotten better over the years. The movie robots were made with metal, similar to Arnold and Bernard's first Host prototypes on the TV show. The new version of Hosts are made with 3D printing and feature high-tech programming. 

It's not clear if the TV Hosts need some sort of recharging, but that was the downfall of the robots in the movie. A low battery was ultimately what stopped their killing spree.

Pricing

Things go up in price over the years! One night's stay at the 1973 Westworld would have cost $1,000. The price for staying one night in HBO's Westworld is $40,000

The Westworld finale airs Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern on HBO.

Mic has ongoing Westworld coverage. Please follow our main Westworld hub.