5 Books That I Would Love To See Adapted Into Films
There have been some great (and not-so-great) film adaptations of books over the years. Some films are direct adaptations of the novels whereas others are loosely based on the original story. I have imagined some novels I have read recently almost in the style of a film and I have come to think that they would make amazing films. These are five books I would love to see adapted for the big screen.
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca (2021)
Set in the early 2000s, Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke tells the story of two women who meet in a chat room as one attempts to sell a family heirloom. However, their relationship becomes much more sinister and dark than one could ever imagine. Eric LaRocca’s novel is very short and honestly could be read in less than an hour. However, I think there is so much which can be done with this story to make it into a feature film. The progression of their relationship into something incredibly eerie is something that can be built upon even further in a screenplay. Perhaps even delving even more into the two characters’ lives would be an interesting backdrop for a film and may even add to the sinister elements of the plot.
Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica (2017)
Tender is the Flesh is a dystopian novel portraying a society where all animal meat has become contaminated by a virus; meaning the alternative is legalizing cannibalism. The story follows Marcos, a human meat farmer, who is conflicted about the rules of this new society and battling his own personal issues and losses. I love dystopian films and I think they can make some of the scariest films. Dystopian films don’t have to create societies that are ultra-futuristic and high-tech - they can portray societies not far from the ones we have now, making them feel a little too close to home. Tender is the Flesh is one of the most disturbing books I have read and I think it would also make an intense film.
Astragal by Albertine Sarrazin (1965)
A young woman named Anne breaks her ankle in an attempt to escape prison. She succeeds and makes it to the highway, where she is picked up by Julian, a motorcyclist also on the run. Astragal is a novel focussing on youth, rebellion, and romance. I think Sarrazin’s novel could make a great road trip film, filled with romance, sensuality, and rebellion. Just reading the story feels like an old, French classic like a Jean Luc Goddard story. I would love to see a film that keeps within the time and doesn’t erase the vintage, timeless elements of the story, as that is one of the defining factors for me.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh (2018)
Set in New York City in 2000 and 2001, My Year of Rest and Relaxation focuses on an unnamed protagonist as she ups her usage of prescription medication in an attempt to sleep for an entire year.
This book has been set to have its own film adaptation since 2018 when Margot Robbie purchased the rights for the book under her production company LuckyChap Entertainment (it has also been reported that Robbie is producing alongside Tom Ackerley, her husband). But it’s been five years and there has still been little to no update of where the film adaptation is. The story reminds me very much of the films and work of Yorgos Lanthimos, and in my ideal world, this would be a great story for him to adapt. Lanthimos is one of my favourite directors, due to the fact that he portrays somewhat “normal” environments but you soon realise that something is very off with them and not quite right. Take Dogtooth (2009) and The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017), for instance. I would love to see My Year of Rest and Relaxation in his style of filmmaking.
Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk (2005)
Seventeen people reply to an ad headlined ‘Artists Retreat: Abandon your life for three months’. However, it turns out they will be trapped in an old, ornate theatre where they will become desperate to escape. To do just that, they have to write a masterpiece.
Twenty-three short stories become the main frame for Palahniuk’s novel, which all relate back to the overarching plot of being trapped and desperate for survival. Although I am talking about books that would make great film adaptations, I do think that ‘Haunted’ would also make a great anthology TV series. As well as going into detail about the short stories in the novel, I think it would be really interesting to go into the characters’ back stories some more and link everything all together in the final part. I love anthology series (‘Black Mirror’ and ‘Love, Death and Robots’ being some of my favourites) and I think this novel by Chuck Palahniuk would be great in that format.
I personally prefer film adaptations that do not lose the essence of the original story–there is a reason why that book did so well or has received critical acclaim, so that’s why I would want that represented in its entirety in a film. Although these film adaptations may not happen (one can dream though!), I do strongly recommend reading these books. Because even though we might not get lost in the film adaptations which might not happen, we can get lost in the novels themselves.