Written by Explore the cinematic translation of your favorite books, from page to screen, as we recommend two movies that align with their style and core content!
George Orwell, 1984 – Children of Men and Snowpiecer
For lovers of the 1984 novel, the movie Children of Men (2006) offers a dystopian vision of world chaos, exploring societal control and an upsetting perspective of the future, aligning itself with the novel’s core themes. Snowpiercer (2013) also questions the class struggles of a forcefully confined society and resonates with matters of oppressive regimes and resistance.
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice – Jane Eyre and Atonement
If one is into period dramas, Jane Eyre (2011) and Atonement (2007) are nice suggestions. The intertwining themes of love and morality are a common aspect between all the pieces. Much like in Jane Austen’s novels, a vocal point of the films is their portrayal of a happy ending and its significance.
Sally Rooney, Normal People – The Worst Person in The World and Before Sunrise
The contemporary bestseller Normal People delves into the complexity of relationships, with recurrent themes as intimacy and growth. The Worst Person in the World (2021) and Before Sunrise (1995) are strongly suited to those who enjoyed the book.
Gale Honeyman, Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine – Silver Linings Playbook and Lost in Translation
For enthusiasts of Honeyman’s romance, Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine, which delves into mental health and unconventional connections, the movie Silver Linings Playbook (2012), is a striking movie choice for a cozy night in. Lost in Translation (2003) is another alternative which beautifully captures instances of loneliness and unexpectedly powerful connections, complementing the book’s themes of personal growth and the impact of human relationships.
Jeff Vandermeer, Annihilation – Solaris and Blade Runner
The mind-bending world of sci-fi classic, Solaris (1972) will tastefully suit the favoured characteristics of the 2014 novel Annihilation, which could also be associated with themes of self-destruction and the way one’s past shapes the present. A dive into the visually stunning landscapes of Blade Runner (1982) echoes the themes of identity and existential questioning inherent to the novel.
Hanya Yanagihara, A Little Life – Aftersun and Blue Valentine
A Little Life is considered by many one of the saddest contemporary pieces of literature. If in a mood for a good cry, Aftersun (2022) and Blue Valentine (2010) are a way to go. Aftersun dives into the memory lane of a father-daughter vacation, while he was struggling mentally. Blue Valentine depicts the impact of the past on relationships.
Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray – Portrait of a Lady on Fire and The Prestige
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) resembles The Picture of Dorian Gray through the great emphasis both pieces put into art and the thematic of the artist and the muse. On the other hand, The Prestige (2006) scrutinizes topics such as obsession and jealousy, also very much present in the novel.
Joël Dicker, The Baltimore Boys – Dead Poets Society and Stand by Me
The Dead Poets Society (1989) resonates with themes of self-discovery and the impact of literature, which are ever-present within the novel, with both culminating in a tragic aftermath. The movie Stand by Me (1986) is also an astounding watch for keen readers of the Swiss writer’s novels, as it focuses on the power of childhood bonds and characters’ journeys to accomplish self-actualization.
Francisca Pereira
Madalena Zarco
theawarenessnews.com 