From Wattpad to the Big Screen: ‘My Fault: London’

Stepsiblings take a unique approach on getting integrated into the family in the film “My Fault: London,” released Feb. 13. 

From directors Charlotte Fassler and Dani Girdwood, “My Fault: London” is based on the 2023 Spanish film “Culpa Mia” — an adaptation of Mercedes Ron’s book of the same name, which debuted on Wattpad. 

Asha Banks plays 18-year-old Noah, whose life is uprooted when her mother marries William, an aristocrat from London. Forced to leave her boyfriend and best friend in Florida, Noah travels across the pond to Great Britain. 

While moving into William’s countryside manor, Noah and her mother meet William’s son Nick, portrayed by Matthew Broome. It doesn’t take long for the stepsiblings to get off on the wrong foot, with Noah seeing Nick as a rich daddy’s boy while Nick views Noah as an arrogant pest. 

As the two get to know each other, they begin to confide in one another. Nick comforts Noah when she learns of her boyfriend, Dan, cheating on her. To get back at him, the pair send a photo of themselves locked in a kiss to make Dan jealous. 

Complementing the story’s adrenaline rush, “My Fault: London” features high-flying street races, as both Noah and Nick are gearhead racers. Though at first unexpected, motors prove vital to the film, characterizing Noah as a confident girl unafraid to go off the rails. 

The film is predominantly a dramatic romance, but the Wattpad-written story veers into the fast-track action of “The Fast and The Furious,” with speedy races and a blunt antagonist named Ronnie who competes with the stepsiblings. 

The melodramatic subplot is a poor gear shift, with the rules being fickle and difficult to follow. Comedically, immersion is lost when it seems no other cars exist in central London. 

The vehicle of racing acts as a guide to Noah’s past and what happened to her father, as his treatment toward Noah has created a fear of conflict and claustrophobia within her. Also defying expectations, Nick’s quiet side is uncovered when it’s revealed he has a younger sister who’s living with his mother, and the lengths he would go to see her. 

The toxically entertaining romance of the film is twisted within the last act to a life-or-death situation. The dramatic romance remolds into an action thriller, featuring shootings, kidnapping and knife-to-fist combat. Though the action is sudden, it unleashes powerful and nerve-wracking combat, bringing viewers to the edge of their seats. 

When its not attempting to be an action flick, “My Fault: London” is most energetic depicting lively, British raves. The film pulls its audience into the heart of London’s electrifying party scene, where pulsing music shakes the walls and blinding disco lights radiate the cast. 

Featuring pop hits “Bourgeoisieses” by Conan Gray and “Vroom Vroom” by Charli XCX, the soundtrack blends elements of high-class London and rich teenage life.  

The film draws soft edges around the aristocracy by outlining the trauma haunting their lives. 

But this message of cross-class compassion sometimes loses itself in the endless parties and drinking the characters indulge in. At one point, Noah, Nick and two friends take a trip to Ibiza to celebrate Nick’s birthday, abandoning their lives for a weekend without a care in the world. 

Though its ideas often get lost in the chaos, the film conveys how, despite someone’s monetary status, cycles of violence can impact any social class — but can still be stopped by love.

For those who may love guilty pleasure, drama-filled romance, “My Fault: London” is a taboo choice that ignores all stop signs. 

“My Fault: London” is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.