When you hear about a movie adapted from a book, the first thing people usually say is: “The book was better.” But “My Fault: London,” directed by Charlotte Fassler and Dani Girdwood and released Feb. 2025, doesn’t apply to that statement. The film doesn’t just honor Mercedes Ron’s original novel, it elevates it. The film not only surpasses the novel, it also outshines the first 2023 Spanish film adaptation, “Culpa Mía,” proving that remakes can actually be better than the original film.

   Both the English and Spanish language movies follow the same storyline created in the original novel. Noah, played by Nicole Wallace and Asha Banks respectively, moves away from home with her mother to go live with her new stepfather and stepbrother. Her stepbrother Nick, played by Gabriel Guevara and Matthew Broome respectively, seems to be your typical book bad boy, but he’s portrayed differently in each movie. Throughout the movie, Nick and Noah’s relationship begins to evolve, and they work together through many conflicts.

   In “Culpa Mía,” Nick lacks depth, he’s emotionally unavailable and rude at times. Because of this, there’s no real development of Nick and Noah’s relationship, and it never feels real.

   But in “My Fault: London,” Nick’s character is much more nuanced. He’s still the rebellious type, but there’s a softness to him that makes his relationship with Noah feel more comprehensive. Watching their bond grow was far more satisfying; it felt like there were more layers to every situation and not just observing it from the outside.

   Noah truly felt like a relatable character in “My Fault: London.” Her outfits were ones actual teens would wear, like Aviator Nation sweatsets, edgy streetwear, nothing too overdone or out of the ordinary like “Culpa Mía,” where she was styled with bold patterns and big accessories.

In “Culpa Mía,” Noah’s trauma is portrayed in a way to make the audience feel sympathy by showing her pain from her father’s abuse, but not much beyond it. “My Fault: London” took that and built on it, showing not only her past, but the strength healing from it. “My Fault: London” emphasizes that there is life after trauma, and that recovery doesn’t have to rely on a partner. The film introduces an element of girl power, portraying Noah as confident and capable of standing on her own, something that felt underdeveloped in the original production.

  That isn’t to say “Culpa Mía” lacked in every aspect. The film delivered amazing cinematography and a moody aesthetic. The soundtrack also had some highlights, like “K.” by Cigarettes After Sex and “Till Forever Falls Apart” by FINNEAS. 

   However, “My Fault: London” raised the bar with a more dynamic and emotionally resonant soundtrack. Tracks like “Von Dutch” by Charli XCX, “Better Off (Alone, Pt. III)” by Slayyyter, and “Bourgeoisieses” by Conan Gray felt carefully selected to enhance each scene. These hits became the emotional core of the scenes they were in.

   Even the little things were done better in the remake. The cast was more diverse, which made the story feel more real. The emotional pacing made sense. Watching “My Fault: London” helped view the story through a clearer lens and was more alive compared to “Culpa Mía.”

   With sharper characters, a more empowering lead, and a standout soundtrack, “My Fault: London” didn’t just retell the story, it elevated it.