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

• Website https://www.rachaelkjones.com/
• Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/rachaelkjones.bsky.social
• "The Sound of Children Screaming"
• "Five Views of the Planet Tartarus"

Ink to Film

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• Intro/outro music: Demon Echoes by Marc Van der Meulen

Luke Elliott

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• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/publications

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

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 the movie!

• Join our Discord channel! https://discord.gg/yQpgu9jYB2
• Pickup Hamnet or any of the novels they've covered at the Ink to Film Bookshop! https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects! https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
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• Home Base: inktofilm.com
• Intro/Outro Music "No Winners" by Ross Bugden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qk-vZ1qicI

References

• Maggie O'Farrell didn't want to write 'Hamnet's' script.
• Vanity Fair Notes on a Scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfTiQzQ-DoM

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/social
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/publications

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

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 by bringing them back to life, the real story behind Anne Hathaway, and discuss what they are hoping for next week when they watch the film directed by Chloé Zhao!

• Join our Discord channel! https://discord.gg/yQpgu9jYB2
• Pickup Hamnet or any of the novels they've covered at the Ink to Film Bookshop! https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects! https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com
• Intro/Outro Music "No Winners" by Ross Bugden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qk-vZ1qicI

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/social
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/publications

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

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 include: The Wheel of Time, Nosferatu, Mickey 17, Conclave, The Ring, The Iron Giant, and so much more. Thank you to everyone who made this year a great one for Ink to Film!

Categories

Intro - 00:00:27

Podcast Stats - 00:02:21

Biggest Surprise - 00:13:42

Worst Read - 00:25:30

Best Read - 00:35:38

Worst Watch - 00:50:53

Best Watch (A.K.A. Best Adaptation) - 01:02:47

Looking Ahead - 01:20:53

• Pickup any of the novels they've covered at the Ink to Film Bookshop! https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects! www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/social
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/pub...

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

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!

• Pickup Akira or any of the novels they've covered at the Ink to Film Bookshop! https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects! https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com
• Intro/Outro Music "Rebels" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-wKcIkElIc&t=522s

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/social
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/publications

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

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 Film Bookshop! https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm

Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects! https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm

• Ink to Film's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com
• Intro/Outro Music "Rebels" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-wKcIkElIc&t=522s

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/social
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/publications

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

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!

• Pickup Akira or any of the novels they've covered at the Ink to Film Bookshop! https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects! https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com
• Intro/Outro Music "Rebels" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-wKcIkElIc&t=522s

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/social
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/publications

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

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 LONG WALK.

• Pickup The Running Man or any of the novels they've covered at the Ink to Film Bookshop! https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects! https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)+
• Home Base: inktofilm.com Intro/Outro Music: "Something Wicked" by Ross Bugden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zuw_O5MU5CE

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/social
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/publications

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

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!

• Pickup The Running Man or any of the novels they've covered at the Ink to Film Bookshop! https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects! https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)+
• Intro/Outro Music: "Something Wicked" by Ross Bugden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zuw_O5MU5CE
• Home Base: inktofilm.com

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/social
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/publications

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

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.

• Find our guests books on our bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/special-guest-books
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects: https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/social
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/publications

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/