#131: More Adaptations are Coming: I can't keep up!

Hello, friends —

Back in June I talked about some page-to-screen adaptations that I was excited about, but new adaptations are constantly being released, announced, or delivering trailers. In an alternate universe, I’d have time to explore all of them — read all the books, see all the movies, watch all the shows! But since I love my family, job, and reading books/seeing movies/watching shows that aren’t adaptations, I will accept my limitations, acknowledge these adaptations, and move on.

Let’s take a look at a few that are already out as well as what the next few months have in store!

Available now

Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)

Based on the book by Bonnie Garmus.

I talked about this one last time and can’t wait to watch it. New episodes every week!

Wes Anderson short films (Netflix)

Based on the Roald Dahl short stories “The Swan,” “Poison,” “The Rat Catcher,” and “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.”

According to my favorite movie podcaster Jeff Cannata: “This is the perfect marriage of adaptee (author Roald Dahl) and adapter (writer/director Wes Anderson). The language absolutely sings. These short films have long monologues and long takes with actors being theatrical. Wes Anderson loves a framing device (just watch any of his movies) and these short stories give him a perfect framing device. What is special about Dahl’s writing is how it is expressed and the specific language used and these adaptations get that right.”

The short films The Swan, Poison, and The Rat Catcher, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (trailer below) are available now and because of the short factor, I’ll probably check them out.

The Changeling (Apple TV+)

Based on the book by Victor LaValle

Description from IMDb: Set in an alternate New York City, a father and husband searches through a magical world for his abducted son and missing wife.

I’m intrigued by the concept, like a grown up fairy tale. I haven’t heard positive or negative things but if any of you have checked this out (book or show) I’d love to hear if you think it is worth a read/watch.

Foe (in theaters, limited release)

Based on the novel by Iain Reid

Description from GoodReads: Hen and Junior farm a secluded piece of land that has been in Junior's family for generations, but their quiet life is thrown into turmoil when an uninvited stranger shows up at their door with a startling proposal.

I love Paul Mescal and I love Saoirse Ronan, but this looks slow and potentially boring. And sweaty.

A Haunting in Venice (theaters)

Based on Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie

I enjoyed the book versions of Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile, but the movie versions fell short. I’ve heard from trusted sources that this film is the best of the three. If you’ve seen it or read the book, please let me know what you thought!

Dumb Money (theaters)

Based on the book The Antisocial Network: The GameStop Short Squeeze and the Ragtag Group of Amateur Traders That Brought Wall Street to Its Knees by Ben Mezrich

Mezrich has a formula and a spoken goal to have the longest subtitles ever and to have his books made into films. He succeeded with the movies 21 (based on Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions) and The Social Network (based on The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal — see what I’m saying about those subtitles??)

He has done it again with this book turned film and from what I’ve heard, the movie is pretty solid. From GoodReads, it appears that not many have read the book and those that have weren’t impressed.

Blackberry (VOD)

Based on the book Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry by Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff

This looks fun but not unmissable. There’s a lot to learn from companies like Blackberry that gain a stronghold on a market only to lose it in spectacular fashion. Those stories can be highly entertaining too. Like Jim Belushi’s shady character says in the 1996 Christmas classic Jingle All the Way: “It’s fun and educational.”

Coming Soon

Argylle (theaters, 2024)

I can’t figure out what’s going on with this one. If anyone knows, please leave a comment! The trailer looks terrible. It’s based on a spy novel that doesn’t exist yet and keeps getting delayed. The author doesn’t seem to exist. Just one mystery after another!

Priscilla (Nov. 3, theaters)

Based on the book: Elvis and Me: The True Story of the Love Between Priscilla Presley and the King of Rock N' Roll by Sandra Harmon and Priscilla Presley

After Baz Luhrman’s Elvis took cinemas by storm last year, what else is there to learn about these two?? This looks completely different in tone and style. I’ll probably skip book and movie.

The Killer (Nov. 10, Netflix)

Based on the graphic novel: The Killer by Matz and Jacoram

Description from IMDb: After a fateful near-miss, an assassin battles his employers, and himself, on an international manhunt he insists isn't personal.

This is a David Fincher film so expect dark, gritty, violent, and (hopefully) really good.

Next Goal Wins (Nov. 17, theaters)

Description from IMDb: Based on the 2014 documentary of the same name (trailer below) this chronicles the infamously terrible American Samoa soccer team which lost a 2001 FIFA match 31-0.

I’m a big but not “all in” Taika Waititi fan. What We Do in the Shadows and Thor: Love and Thunder didn’t click with me, but Hunt for the Wilderpeople is one of my all-time favorites and I adore the Hulu show Reservation Dogs which he produces. This looks like a wholesome good time, so I’ll be checking it out.

Leave the World Behind (Netflix, Dec. 7)

Based on the book by Rumaan Alam
Description from GoodReads: Amanda and Clay head to a remote corner of Long Island expecting a quiet reprieve from life in New York City, quality time with their teenage son and daughter and a taste of the good life in the luxurious home they've rented for the week. But with a late-night knock on the door, the spell is broken. Ruth and G. H., an older couple who claim to own the home, have arrived there in a panic. These strangers say that a sudden power outage has swept the city, and - with nowhere else to turn - they have come to the country in search of shelter.

I am intrigued by the premise and my buddy Jeremy really liked the book. But the above description and his review don’t seem to fit what I’m seeing in the trailer, which makes it look like a disaster thriller. The movie has an all-star cast and I’m very curious if it will be good or HNG.

Poor Things (Dec. 8, theaters)

Based on the book by Alasdair Gray

I love Emma Stone but Yorgos Lanthimos and I are on completely different wavelengths. I’ll be passing on this one but if you’re excited or have read the book, please let me know!

American Fiction (Dec. 22, theaters)

Based on the book: Erasure by Percival Everett

Stephen David Miller (who I hope takes off on Substack) wrote an excellent review after seeing this at TIFF: “The first truly great film I’ve seen here that I hadn’t already caught at Cannes. A hilarious provocation about identity, “authenticity”, and the contradictions put upon Black creators in America. Very much in conversation with recent films like Sorry To Bother You and The Forty Year Old Version, albeit decidedly more neurotic (much like its protagonist, played by a pitch-perfect Jeffrey Wright). As a lover of neuroses and inside baseball jokes about the American literary scene, this was 100% my shit. The only thing keeping me from going 4.5 stars, honestly, is having time to sit with it…there are some indulgent late act twists that require more time to digest.”

I’m in. Check out this trailer!

The Boys in the Boat (Dec. 25, theaters)

Based on the book The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown

This trailer just dropped and I had no idea this was coming. Directed by George Clooney? WHAT?! Very fun surprise. This looks like Chariots of Fire: In a Boat and I expect it to be very crowd pleasing. The book has been on my TBR for years so maybe this is the kick in the pants I need to finally read it.

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What are you most excited for? Any I missed that you’re looking forward to? Let me know in the comments! And for more of my takes on books and their screen adaptations, please consider subscribing.

Thanks for reading,

Kyle