Considering the fact that the Hunger Games movies depict a world in which children are forced to kill each other for the public's amusement, it is only appropriate that they featured some very dark moments. The films were intended for a young adult audience, so they went as far as they could in terms of violence and mature themes while still attempting to retain a PG-13 rating.

On the other hand, the Hunger Games books had no such restrictions on them. Throughout the series, author Suzanne Collins depicted several moments that didn't end up making it to the movie adaptations because they were so cruel. Here are some of the biggest ways in which the Hunger Games novels were darker than the films.

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The Mutts

Mutt Muttation Hunger Gamers

At the climax of the first film, the Gamemakers send out a group of ferocious, dog-like creatures to deal with the remaining contestants. The book identifies them as genetically modified creatures called Muttations, or Mutts. In the movie, the dogs are fairly generic but still terrifying creatures, whereas in the book each of the Mutts looks like a tribute that has already been eliminated, in particular their eyes. The fact that the Gamemakers went out of their way to make the creatures look like the previous contestants shows that there is no line of cruelty that they won't cross to terrify the surviving contestants.

A different species of Mutts that resemble lizards appear in the Mockingjay book. While Katniss and her crew of rebels are being chased through the sewers by the Mutts, Katniss is horrified to hear them whispering her name. These Mutts made it to the movies, appearing in Mockingjay - Part 2. Their ability to whisper Katniss' name was adapted out, perhaps because it would have been too creepy even for the Hunger Games films.

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The Avoxes

Pollux looking concerned in The Hunger Games Mockingjay

One aspect from the novels that the films included but barely touched on at all is the Avoxes. In the books, Katniss explains that they are people who have angered the Capitol and had their tongues cut out as a result. Katniss recognizes several Avoxes during her time in the Capitol in the first two books, while in Mockingjay she meets an Avox named Pollux who is working with the rebellion. The Avoxes in the Capitol appear in brief cameos in the first and second films, while Pollux travels with Katniss and her crew in the two Mockingjay films.

The Avoxes' inclusion in the first two books served as yet another ploy by the Capitol to unnerve Katniss, especially considering she has a history with both of her personal Avoxes - one of them, Lavinia, is a girl who Katniss saw get captured in the woods outside District 12, while the other is a former District 12 Peacekeeper named Darius. Still, they are not an essential part of the series' lore, so it's understandable why an in-depth exploration of them didn't make the cut for the movies.

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Haymitch's Alcoholism

Haymitch looking at Katniss intensely in The Hunger Games.

Haymitch Abernathy, Katniss' mentor, is portrayed in the films as a wise, if somewhat crude alcoholic. While there are hints of sadness and trauma to his character, Haymitch often serves as mild comic relief thanks to his sharp tongue and drunk antics. However, the books go into great detail about Haymitch's tragic backstory and explained exactly why he is an alcoholic.

It is revealed that Haymitch is a past Hunger Games victor, who won by using the arena's force field against his opponents. The Capitol didn't appreciate his use of the force field, and President Coriolanus Snow ordered Haymitch's loved ones to be killed. This led Haymitch to begin self-medicating with alcohol, and for years the tributes that he mentors all die in the arena while he wastes away. That is, until he is assigned to mentor Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark.

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District 13's Mistreatment Of Capitol Citizens

Julianne Moore as President Coin in The Hunger Games

The first two Hunger Games books introduce readers to Flavius, Venia, and Octavia, a group of stylists who serve as Katniss' prep team for the Games. While District 13 serves as a safe haven for Katniss after she escapes the Quarter Quell at the end of Catching Fire, the same can't be said for her prep team. The three are captured and held in District 13 by the rebels, and are tortured on the orders of President Coin. Katniss finds this out and demands that they be released, and the prep team later help Katniss get dressed as the Mockingjay.

While Flavius, Venia, and Octavia appear in the films, their roles are greatly reduced and they are given very little focus. This choice was likely made due to the fact that the films already had a large amount of characters, and they just didn't have time to show everyone from the books. In addition, the removal of the prep team's torture helps to make Coin a more sympathetic character, which ends up making the reveal that she is the true villain of the Mockingjay movies hit even harder.

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Katniss And Peeta's Injuries

Katniss comforts Peeta in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2.

Throughout the Hunger Games books, the main characters suffer some serious injuries that are not featured in the films. Katniss loses hearing in her left ear after her first Hunger Games, although the Capitol doctors manage to repair the damage after her victory. Peeta also suffers a serious injury during his first Games -- he has his leg mauled by a Mutt. It is damaged so badly that he eventually has to have it amputated and replaced with a prosthetic.

By the end of the Mockingjay book, Katniss and Peeta are both covered in burn scars after their war against the Capitol, with Katniss even having some of her hair burned off. Once again, these injuries are not depicted in the films, and Katniss and Peeta look fairly undamaged by the time Mockingjay - Part 2 ends. This departure from the books is understandable, but also somewhat undercuts the idea that the contestants will be left with both physical and mental scars from the games for the rest of their lives.

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