Ink to Film

Adapting Shirley Jackson's masterpiece is a tall task, but does Stacie Passon's film pull it off? In episode 397, join writer Luke Elliott & filmmaker James Bailey as they tackle the voiceover problem, explore a small genre shift with big effects, react to alternate casting that almost happened, and finally cast their votes for which one is ultimately better, the book or the movie?

Director Rob Letterman was faced with a daunting task: adapting the vast Goosebumps series into a single movie, rather than focusing on any one specific story. Join Luke & James in this former Patreon-exclusive episode as they revisit their childhood love for RL Stine, get meta with Jack Black, embrace some classic horror story tropes, and learn about the man behind the monsters himself.

Shirley Jackson's most famous work is THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE, but is it actually her best or does her final published novel before her death surpass it? In episode 396 join writer Luke Elliott & filmmaker James Bailey as they revel in some truly great sentences, wonder how reliable Merricat is as the narrator, try to understand Constance's behavior, and ponder the possibility that someone in this book might not be what they seem. Join them next week when they watch the adaptation and vote for which one is ultimately better!

Andrei Tarkovsky's work is beloved by film enthusiasts, but how does his masterpiece compare to the novel ROADSIDE PICNIC by Boris & Arkady Strugatsky? In episode 395, author Laura Cranehill (WIFE SHAPED BODIES) joins Luke Elliott & James Bailey to learn about the film that killed its creator, debate the meaning behind "the room," revel in all things slow & boring, and finally cast the deciding vote on which version was ultimately better: the book or the movie?

Before Andrei Tarkovsky's "Stalker," Arkady & Boris Strugatsky's novel shocked Soviet censors and created a stir among the intellectuals of their era. In episode 394, author Laura Cranehill (WIFE SHAPED BODIES) joins Luke Elliott & James Bailey to discuss what happens when aliens don't even notice us, the importance of earthworms, a familiar podcast villain taking center stage, and how this novel is somehow just as relevant as ever in the modern era of AI. Laura will return next week to discuss the movie and vote on which is ultimately the best version!

David Fincher's adaptation of Stieg Larsson's legendary novel is often overlooked even by his fans, but does it deserve to be held in higher regard? In episode 393, join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they consider different versions of Lisbeth Salander, reflect on Millennial alt-fashion becoming more mainstream, unpack a Kurt Vonnegut easter egg, weigh changes to the romantic relationship between the leads, and finally cast their votes on which version was ultimately better: the book or the movie!

Stieg Larsson's debut novel was a smash hit, but he never lived to see it. In episode 392, join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they learn the horrific event that led to the eventual creation of Lisbeth Salander, compare the author's career in journalism to Mikael Blomkvist's similar career, speak about of the unspeakable, and unpack the Russian-nesting doll of mysteries contained in this first entry of "The Millenium Trilogy." Join them next week when they watch and compare David Fincher's adaptation!

The Coen Brothers' American take on "The Odyssey" left an indelible mark on film and music alike, but how does it hold up as an adaptation? In episode 391, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as the geek out about Roger Deakins, debate what makes for an effective politician, unpack the role of race in this Depression-era epic, and finally cast their votes for which they preferred, the book, the movie, or Christopher Nolan's version!

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When Tim Burton adapted Lewis Carroll's famous novel he turned it into an action-adventure film featuring a star-studded cast, but was it effective? Join Luke & James in this former Patreon-exclusive episode as they fall down a very different rabbit hole, explore a world of wonder and cgi, try to parse Johnny Depp's accent, and face the Jabberwocky in a final confrontation that puts a climactic battle as the climax of a story that usually takes a very different form. Now unlocked for all!

Christopher Nolan's sword and sandals epic is dominating the box office and generating an immense amount of buzz, hot takes, backlash, and praise. In episode 390, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they compare the film to Homer's epic poem, debate the value of 70mm IMAX, consider a career-defining performance, and unpack the film's overall themes that Nolan uses to make this story one for modern audiences. They finish with an impossible task, deciding which one was better: the book or the movie!

Perhaps Literature's most enduring narrative has captured audiences for three thousand years, but after Emily Wilson's translation inspired Christopher Nolan's latest, it is poised to command public discourse around the world in a way it never has before. In episode 389, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they find surprises in an ancient narrative, describe their unexpected experience with a controversial translation, and predict what may have drawn Nolan to adapt Homer's epic. Join them again next week when they react to the new film and compare it to the original!

Frank Darabont's second adaptation of Stephen King's work returns to the prison yard, but this time things get supernatural. In episode 388, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they consider the different kinds of villains the story presents and how they interact with one another, look at the role of the "present day" framework, react to the all-star cast including the performances of Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan, and finally each cast their vote on which one was better: the book or the movie?

Stephen King released one of his most famous novels in an unusual manner and it shaped the narrative in fascinating ways. In episode 387, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they discuss benevolent prejudice, react to yet another fantastic King villain, learn to love a magic mouse, and get ready to ride the lightning John Coffey. They will return next week for the film by Frank Darabont!

Clint Bently's adaptation of Denis Johnson's novella finds connection and clarity in a story that resisted it, but is that an improvement? In episode 386 join writer Luke Elliott and filmmaker James Bailey as they find sympathy for the generations that came before, explore the symbolism of the red dog, consider filming with natural light, react to Joel Edgerton's loveable version of Robert Grainier, and finally cast their votes on which version was ultimately better: the book or the film!

Before the adaptation, Denis Johnson's novella won the "O' Henry" and was a finalist for the Pulitzer for what critic Anthony Doerr hailed as an "American epic writ small." In episode 385, join writer Luke Elliott and filmmaker James Bailey as they explore Johnson's Hemingway-esque prose style, unpack the ambiguity of the supernatural, find meaning by letting go of the search for it, and discuss the dark history around the railroad's construction in the PNW. Join them again next week when they compare the novella to the film by Clint Bentley starring Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones!

Which of these worthy adaptations deserves to be considered among the best ever put to film? In episode 384, join writer Luke Elliott and filmmaker James Bailey as they make the case and then argue over which three are the most deserving to make it in as Ink to Film's third class. The nominees are: "Arrival," "No Country for Old Men," "The Princess Bride," "The Return of the King," "The Exorcist," and "Dr. Strangelove." Which ones make the cut?

Episode Breakdown:

Intro

Presenting the Contenders

Awarding Scores

Final Deliberations

Does the source novel for "Perfect Blue" help a first-time viewer to parse the meaning behind Satoshi Kon's ending? In episode 383, join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they consider what essential elements the novel provided, explore the use of reflections, debate the significance of the fish in Mima's apartment, and outline some various theories for what the ambiguity in the film could mean. They finish by casting their votes for which one is ultimately better: the book or the movie!

Before Satoshi Kon's beloved film, Yoshikazu Takeuchi's light novel Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis had a different story to tell, one with more traditional horror trappings, but with themes about identity and obsession that carried through. In episode 382, join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they discuss how the book is on its own, how idol culture can exploit both young stars and their audiences, the ethics around writing a book depicting such graphic material, and what bones were present in the story that would go on to inspire the film people know and love.

Jack Thorne's version of this literary classic demonstrates how bold, smart choices can breathe life into something that might have otherwise been stale. In episode 381, join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they discuss all four episodes, appreciate strong performances by the young leads, debate the value of getting surreal with color, and explore how the expanded backstories for each character slightly changes the story's overall themes. The finish by casting their votes on which one is ultimately better: the book or the show?

William Golding's iconic tale of a group of boys stranded on an island without adults has long been a part of school curriculums in the English-speaking world, but what is it actually about? In episode 380, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they ask whether humans are inherently evil, reflect on how Golding's experiences in World War II may have influenced his worldview, debate the value of using a group of boys to represent humanity, explore the symbolism of the pig's head, and compare the book to some of the other notable books people read in school. Join them next...

Paul King's prequel to "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" (1971) explores the candy man's origin. Is a light and fluffy musical version of this world, along with a solid performance by Timothée Chalamet, enough to recapture the magic of the 1970s classic? Don't miss out on this golden ticket to our former Patreon-exclusive episode!

Author T. Kingfisher joins LIVE at Norwescon 2026 to discuss her novel WHAT MOVES THE DEAD, how to write retellings, and how she feels about adaptations. In episode 379, Luke Elliott & James host their second live recording, this time in front of a live room full of Ursula Vernon fans while adding to their "Creative Conversations" series. Topics include why she chose to retell Edgar Allen Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher," how she decided to deal with each character's original fate, what to do about fungus hares, how she developed Alex's neopronouns, and which of her books have...

T. Kingfisher's retelling of "The Fall of the House of Usher" was a commercial and critical success, but was it an adaptation? In episode 378, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they explore the "sporror" subgenre, appreciate some truly unsettling hares, and explore how this version of the classic tale shifts the thematic meanings of Poe's classic into a different place entirely. Join them next week when they interview T. Kingfisher herself for a Creative Conversation at Norwescon 2026!

Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller delivered an adaptation to remember of Andy Weir's hit novel, but how does it stack up to the original? In episode 377, join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they react to an IMAX event of a film, weigh what science was important to keep and what could go, revel in practical effects, explore Lord & Miller's journey in the industry, and appreciate some well-placed karaoke scenes. They finish by casting their votes on which was better: the book or the movie!

Class is back in session, and we're sitting in the front row! In episode 376, join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they contemplate star-eating bacteria, speculative astrobiology, first-contact communication, locked-room mysteries, the differences between Ryland Grace and Mark Watney as protagonists, a Michael Crichton comparison, and what it would take for the world to come together to face a common problem. Join them again next week when they analyze the film adaptation starring Ryan Gosling!

Baz Luhrmann made a bold choice with his adaptation of William Shakespeare's classic tale of tragic love by having his adaptation take place in a modern setting, but with characters who still speak the lines as originally written. In episode 375, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they explore this bold experiment, react to Tybalt and Mercutio performances to remember, debate Leonardo DiCaprio's early acting choices, consider Claire Danes comments about Leo, learn some wild behind-the-scenes details, unpack the water as death metaphor, and debate the few notable changes made to source material. They finish out by casting their votes...

The bard is back on the pod with that new heat, this time coming straight outta Verona. In episode 374, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they talk about the poem that Shakespeare was adapting, debate the existence of "love at first sight," get real about soulmates, unlock some hints from the meter of the text, appreciate the blend of humor and drama, and finally ask whether the tragedy of their love is ultimately worth it.

Game of Thrones is back with an adaptation that's a breath of fresh air for the franchise. In episode 373, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they chat about the youth movement behind Ira Parker, debate the value of the diarrhea scene, explore the things that made ASOIAF work in the first place (it isn't dragons), and finally cast their vote on which is ultimately better, "The Hedge Knight" by George RR Martin or the adaptation!

In the first installment of "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" George RR Martin introduces the world to Ser Dunk and his squire Egg in a story that just made the jump to television. In episode 372, join writer Luke Elliott and filmmaker James Bailey as they revisit Westeros for the first time in years, discuss their relationship status with the A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones franchise, debate the nature of authorial "ownership," and make some predictions for what they're hoping to see in the HBO series under showrunner Ira Parker. Join them next week as...

Guillermo Del Toro's long-awaited adaptation of Mary Shelley's seminal SF/Horror novel has divided fans with passionate takes for and against, so what should we all make of it? In episode 371, author Rachael K. Jones joins Luke & James to play a morbid game of FMK, compare how children learn language to what is portrayed on screen, compare multiple adaptations to this one, and finally cast their votes on which version is best: the book or the movie!

Rachael K. Jones

Is Chloé Zhao's adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's historical novel on the life of Agnes Hathoway, William Shakespeare, and their child Hamnet an example of one of the best kinds of adaptations possible in film? In episode 370, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they marvel at the performance Jessie Buckley delivers, debate the ethics of mining personal tragedy for artistic expression, weigh the inclusion of a beloved if often-used piece of music, embrace emotional storytelling at it's finest, and join in a moment of shared catharsis. They finish by casting their votes on which is ultimately better, the book or t...

Before the award's darling film hit theaters in 2025, Maggie O'Farrell's novel made waves of its own with its brilliant prose, rich imagination, and earnest attention to the human heart. Her choice to focus on William Shakespeare's son, wife Agnes, and the possible implications his personal life could have had on his legendary work brought a fresh perspective to one of the most talked about figures in English Literature. In episode 369, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they kick off season 10 of the podcast, talk about "The Death of the Author" as a critical approach and what could be gained...

To cap off their 9th season, in episode 368 James and Luke list their best (and worst) reads, then name the best (and worst) adaptations of the year. It was an exciting year highlighted by their first ever live recording featuring the incredible Martha Wells who joined the show to talk Murderbot at WorldCon in Seattle. The podcast didn't stop at just sci-fi, though, making a deep dive into Dracula, exploring a legendary anime, dissecting a trio of Stephen King movies, laughing with a Shakespeare retelling for the ages, and lamenting a fantasy series cancelled before its time. Topics also...

Katsuhiro Otomo did the impossible when he adapted his own unfinished manga into an anime film that changed everything. In episode 367, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they unpack the making of this landmark film, try to understand a mind-blowing ending, compare different versions of Tetsuo, and finally cast their vote on which one is ultimately better: the manga series or the anime!

Katsuhiro Otomo's series is a landmark work in the history of Japanese manga and animation that shaped the industry as we know it today. In episode 366, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they continue their journey through Neo Tokyo by reacting to volumes 2 and 3, debate just how evil (or not) Tetsuo actually is, weigh the pros/cons of color, learn about "gutter loss," and further explore the legacy of this legendary story. Join them again next week when they race headlong into the film!

Pickup Akira or any of the novels they've covered at the Ink to...

Nobody seems to know for certain who created the first cyberpunk story, but Katsuhiro Otomo has as strong a claim as anyone. In episode 365, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they start their journey into Neo-Tokyo for possibly the most legendary manga of all time, learn the history of manga making into western markets, find a surprising link to "Stranger Things", and admire the sheer technical skill of a master. Join them in the coming weeks as they read volumes 2 & 3, then tackle the renowned anime adaptation!

Edgar Wright's adaptation of a Stephen King book and 80s Arnold Action flick seemed like a perfect match, so why didn't this movie rise to the level of his very best? In episode 364, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they unpack what went right and what went wrong in the jump from page to screen. Topics include a rigid plot skeleton, a surprise cameo, some performances that divided our opinions, and finally cast votes on which they ultimately liked better: the book or the movie. They finish by judging both mediums to the recently covered Bachman-story counterparts with THE...

From his doublewide trailer in the 1970s, Stephen King was able to authentically tackle class struggle in this early novel originally published under the pen name "Richard Bachman." In episode 363, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they try to understand Ben Richards, get dystopian and borderline cyberpunk in this flashy vision of the future, react to some uncomfortable hallmarks of the Master of Horror's writing early in his career, and wonder about what changes await in the modern adaptation. Join them next week as they analyze Edgar Wright's version starring Glenn Powell!

Join Luke & James on the convention floor as they catch up with former guests Remy Nakamura, Curtis Chen, Kate Ristau, Erik Grove, Jessie Kwak, Fonda Lee, Daryl Gregory, Patrick Swenson, and Rachael K. Jones! Each author shares their experiences at the convention and what they've been up to in the years since their last appearance on the podcast.

Jake Kasden reimagines Jumanji for a modern audience while making clever connections to the original that manages to keep this latest entry in line with the classic Robin Williams-led version. He delivers star-power with The Rock, Jack Black, Karen Gillan, and Kevin Hart, who all give memorable comedic performances. Join Luke & James for this video-game flavored take on a classic adaptation for this former Patreon-exclusive!