7 Crime Fiction & Horror Book-to-Movie Adaptations Coming Soon
I may be biased, but in my opinion, the best films are adapted from books. Only thing is, I might have to watch the movie first, if only to keep myself from muttering, “That ain’t how it happened,” and enjoying the film the way it’s supposed to be enjoyed. If you’re looking for some great crime fiction and horror film adaptations, here are seven upcoming releases that are sure to be bangers.
The Piano Lesson
Technically, this movie is adapted from the August Wilson stage play—which is slightly different than adapting from a novel—but there’s no better plot that dwells in both thriller and horror than this one.
Follow the Charles family as they steal a piano from the owner of the land the family has sharecropped since Emancipation, on July 4, 1911. The thing is, despite multiple hauntings of both white and Black spirits, the next generation debates whether to sell the musical instrument. Which begs the question, why did they steal it at all? Malcolm Washington (son of Denzel) directs Boy Willie (John David Washington) and Berniece (Danielle Deadwyler)’s argument at the home of Doaker Charles (Samuel L. Jackson)… and you’re gonna love the music.
Queer
At first blush, this William S. Burroughs novel adaptation might not seem like a crime film—until you consider the time period. It’s a romance set in 1950s Mexico City, between elder American expat William Lee (Daniel Craig) and the much younger discharged Navy Veteran Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey). But the reasons Lee is in Mexico City at all are for crimes: one, he’s addicted to illegal opiates and he’s fleeing a New Orleans drug bust. And two, he’s Queer, which in the military was illegal… and while I’d like to say being Queer is no longer a crime, the nation of Turkiye banned the movie outright, which led to the cancellation of the festival where it was slated to premiere. And as for horror? Wait till you see the surrealist depiction of an ayahuasca trip.
Releasing nationwide on December 13
Nickel Boys
This adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s novel by the same name also lives directly where thriller and horror intersect. After being in the wrong place at the wrong time, precocious academic allstar Elwood (Ethan Herisse) gets sent to the Nickel Academy, ostensibly a reform school. Once there, though, he learns that it’s not a school at all, but a prison unabashedly using prison child labor. Especially on the segregated Black side of the school. He forms a friendship with a veteran student named Turner (Brandon Wilson), and they scheme about not only how to extricate themselves, but more important how to shut the institution down… before any more children get hurt or murdered. It might interest you, too, that the filming is done from two first-person perspectives—which earned it the award of Best Cinematography from the Atlanta Film Critics Circle, as well as Best Adapted Screenplay (among other accolades to come, I’m sure)!
Limited theatrical release on December 14
The Count of Monte Cristo
It’s 1815 in France—that’s French Revolution time. When sailor Edmond Dantes (Pierre Niney) rescues a shipwrecked woman against orders, it results in his promotion to Captain. At first. At Dantes’ actual wedding, he gets arrested for Bonapartism and subsequently thrown in the Chateau d’If… indefinitely. While there, his cellmate Abbé Faria (Pierfrancesco Favino) educates him on how to be a gentleman, shares with him the location of a vast treasure on the island of Monte Cristo. Together they plot a prison escape and execution of revenge. Then Abbé Fariadies. And that’s just the beginning. This French film premiered at Cannes, and it’s received a ton of critical acclaim. I’m looking forward to seeing this adaptation!
Releasing in select U.S. theaters December 20
Babygirl
This novel adaptation is a different kind of thriller. An erotic thriller, they’re saying. And I have to agree. When CEO Romy Mathis (Nicole Kidman) sees her new intern Samuel (Harris Dickinson) call off a dog attack outside their offices, he gets her attention despite her best efforts. What ensues is a wild exploration of power dynamics and sexuality with in a professional setting… and it’s extremely compelling, even if you’re like me and have a hard time watching infidelity onscreen. Seriously, you won’t believe Samuel’s charisma. Don’t miss this thriller.
Releasing December 25
The Monkey
Osgood Perkins (writer and director, here) teams up with Neon for the first time since Longlegs in this Stephen King short story adaptation. Hal and Bill are twin brothers who find their father’s old toy monkey in their attic, and then suddenly horrific deaths start occurring all around them, so they discard the toy. But when the freak deaths start happening again in their adulthood, when they’ve taken separate paths completely, they have to reunite and try to destroy the cursed toy. It’s sure to be a movie I’ll have to watch from behind my hands.
Releasing February 21, 2025
Frankenstein
Yes, the maestro of horror is adapting the very first science fiction novel for the screen. Apparently this adaptation of the ultimate horror classic follows Dr. Pretorius tracks down Frankenstein’s monster and continues the research the good doctor began. Looks like an incredible cast, as well, with everyone from Mia Goth, Jacob Elordi, and Oscar Isaac to Christoph Waltz and the absolutely best voice ever, Ralph Ineson.
2025 release date not yet confirmed
Verity
Colleen Hoover’s bestselling romantic thriller is in production by Amazon MGM Studios, and it seems like Anne Hathaway will play the role of bestselling author Verity Crawford. When Verity is injured and unable to complete writing her series, her husband, Jeremy, hires Lowen Ashleigh—another writer, but one on the brink of financial ruin. While reviewing Verity’s notes, Lowen happens upon notes for an autobiography, and they give horrifying information about what happened on the day that Verity’s daughter died. Lowen decides to keep the secrets… until she develops feelings for Jeremy.
No release date specified
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