Ink to Film

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 t...

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 vo...

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...

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 betwe...

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 e...

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...

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 ba...

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...

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 con...

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 an...

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! Reference...

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 Grainie...

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 t...

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,"...

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. Th...

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 a...

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 s...

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 usin...

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! Pickup any of the novels they've covered at the Ink to Film Boo...

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 "T...

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 w...

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 wel...

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 co...

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...

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...