Is Section 8 an adaptation of a video game? Here's everything we know

Section 8, the 2022 action thriller directed by Christian Sesma, is not an adaptation of the video game developed by TimeGate Studios despite some similarities between the two projects.

The 2022 film boasts a cast of Ryan Kwanten, Dermot Mulroney, Dolph Lundgren, Scott Adkins, Justin Furstenfeld, Mickey Rourke, and more. It revolves around Kwanten's character, who gets put behind bars while trying to defend his family. While in prison, he meets a secret organization operative who hopes to recruit him for their operation. The organization is named Section 8.

The 2009 project is a first-person shooter video game that was published by SouthPeak Games and TimeGate Studios. It was available on Xbox 360 and Windows and could be played in a single-player or a multi-player mode. It was the first game in the eponymous game series that takes place in the near future when humans have utilized interstellar travel to colonize planets across the galaxy.

Both projects are about military operatives trying to wage a war against the opposing forces. They are determined and passionate, and their operations are full of gunslinging action. Their operational titles refer to the category in the military discharge in the US armed forces.

Despite these similarities, they take place in different settings and are tonally different. The game is a futuristic intergalactic nail-biter, while the movie is a gritty thriller set on Earth in the present day environment. Based on these details, the Ryan Kwanten movie is not an adaptation of the game from TimeGate Studios.

More details about Section 8, the movie

Section 8, the 2022 action thriller from AMC+, follows a violent chapter in a former Marine operative's life, who is on the hunt for truth and revenge against those who wronged him. Its official plot synopsis reads,

"After avenging the murder of his wife and child, a former soldier (Ryan Kwanten) is sent to prison with a life sentence. He’s given a shot at freedom when a shadowy government agency recruits him for an off-the-books assignment. He soon realizes Section 8 isn’t what it seems."

The film was produced by Firebrand Productions and was distributed by RLJE Films and AMC+. It was released in theaters and on streaming in September 2022. This 98-minute-long movie is also available to watch on streaming platforms like Hoopla and Philo.

More details about Section 8, the game

The plot for the Section 8, the video game, reportedly reads,

"Section 8 takes place in the future after the human race has discovered interstellar travel and colonized many planets across the galaxy. At the time of the game, a group called the Arm of Orion has begun to 'disconnect' the outermost frontier planets from the main governing body, the United States Empire. With the communication systems of these frontier worlds cut off, the ARM then conquers these worlds while keeping their presence hidden from the Empire."

The video game allowed users to let their characters wear powered armor suits for a few reasons. However, it earned mixed to positive reviews upon its release, with some users pointing out server issues among others.