Hello! Im a young adult trying to make a change in his ways, and a part of that is finally breaking into the world of literature. As a big time movie nerd, I figured since there are so many stories in movies that I adore, similar stories exist in books that I’ll also love. My taste basically boil down to character writing, absurdist comedy, creative symbolism, and good ass dialogue
Basically this is a list of movies I would highly enjoy in novel form. If you see a movie that you know and that reminds you of a certain book, I’d love to check it out!
Challengers (2024):
This is a quintessential example of what I’m talking about. As much as I love this movie’s acting and cinematography, the main pull is the incredible character writing and how each character’s personality traits bring out different traits in the others. More examples are May December, Marriage Story, and
Arival (2016):
I know this is based on a short story that I will be checking out, but anything in this realm of grounded but transcendental lane of Science Fiction is totally my jam. Other examples include Annihilation, NOPE, The Iron Giant, and World Of Tomorrow by Don Hertzfeldt
Bullet Train (2023):
I don’t even especially love this movie, but on paper it is my taste in comedy to a T. Absurd characters in absurd situations, stupid decisions that lead into worse decisions, well written dialogue in a plot that acts as a playground for the said absurdity. Other examples: Shiva Baby, The Long Goodbye, any Coen Brothers comedy, The Nice Guys, In Bruges, Kinds Of Kindness
The Killing Of A Sacred Deer (2016):
One of my favorite thrillers. Feels like a modern day parable, larger than life without losing a grounded reality. I looove how Yorgos Lanthimos writes to his themes. More: Prisoners, Burning (South Korean), First Reformed, Hereditary
Before Sunrise (1995):
I love romance stories!! I especially love the genre because it allows for incredibly detailed characters and themes about human nature. My favorite book I’ve read (and tv series) is Normal People if that gives you any idea. More examples: All Wong Kar Wai movies basically, Punch Drunk Love, Past Lives, Pahntom Thread
20th Century Women (2016):
One of my all timers. I love its detached structure, how it uses expressionist filmmaking but keeps the focus on the characters. I need more stories like this in my life!!
Succession (TV Show):
Last one, but one of my favorite genres is “people in a room yelling really creative dialogue that has personal, plot, and thematic consequences. I cannot get enough of the writing of this show and need more of it. More: High And Low (Japanese), Network (all sydney lumet), Knives Out, Dr Strangelove, Aaron Sorkin is my main man
Bonus: If you’ve played the games Disco Elysium and/or Outer Wilds and it reminded you of a a book, I’m highly interested!!
I hope yall can think of something that I’ll enjoy!!
by Brilliant-String7881