MOVIHERO
Home/Discover/Adaptation
Adaptation movie poster

MOVIE DECISION GUIDE

Adaptation

2002 · 1h 55m · Comedy · Crime · Drama

MOVIHERO READ

Charlie Kaufman is a confused L.A. screenwriter overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, sexual frustration, self-loathing, and by the screenwriting ambitions of his fre…

85/100
WORTH IT

WHAT IT'S ABOUT

Charlie Kaufman is a confused L.A. screenwriter overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, sexual frustration, self-loathing, and by the screenwriting ambitions of his freeloading twin brother Donald. While struggling to adapt "The Orchid Thief," by Susan Orlean, Kaufman's life spins from pathetic to bizarre. The lives of Kaufman and Orlean's book become strangely intertwined as each one's search for passion collides with the other's.

Watch NowWatch trailer
85/100
WORTH IT
WORTH ITCharlie Kaufman is a confused L.A. screenwriter overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, sexual frustration, self-loathing, and by the screenwriting ambitions of his fre…

MAKE THE CALL

Does this belong in your night?

A decision, not a review. Choose the kind of night you want and keep your queue honest.

WHY THIS MIGHT BE FOR YOU

01The setup points to a story driven by family relationships and their consequences
02A manageable 115-minute runtime and a more measured watch than a pure momentum movie define the practical movie-night fit
03Its 7.3/10 TMDB audience score across 2,865 votes gives the recommendation a meaningful crowd signal

MOVIHERO EDITORIAL

Should you watch Adaptation?

Adaptation. belongs in your night if you want the relationships inside a family to matter as much as the plot. It is a more measured watch than a pure momentum movie, with a manageable 115-minute runtime, and the Watch Profile puts attention at 4/10 and emotional impact at 5/10. The overall profile gives it a solid case when that experience matches your mood.

WATCH NOW

Watch Adaptation

Compare reported U.S. streaming, free, rental and purchase options in one place.

United States

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Prime trial offer is for eligible customers. Amazon terms and pricing can change; confirm the current offer before starting a trial.

Availability by JustWatch.

PERFECT IF

01you want the relationships inside a family to matter as much as the plot
02you want a more measured watch than a pure momentum movie
03you want a manageable 115-minute runtime

THINK TWICE IF

01family conflict is not the kind of emotional material you want tonight
02you want a very different pacing profile tonight
03you want to stay away from crime-focused tension or darker material

WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE

Watch Profile

Seven signals for the experience itself — from the pace of the night to how much attention it asks from you.

Pacing5/10
Emotional Impact5/10
Mind-Bending2/10
Scary1/10
Violence5/10
Rewatchability6/10
Attention Required4/10
Adaptation still

WATCH A PREVIEW

Trailer

A CLOSER LOOK

Stay with the image.

Adaptation still 1Adaptation still 2Adaptation still 3Adaptation still 4Adaptation still 5

CAST & CREW

The people who make it land.

Spike Jonze portrait
Spike JonzeDirector
Nicolas Cage portrait
Nicolas CageCharlie Kaufman / Donald Kaufman
Meryl Streep portrait
Meryl StreepSusan Orlean
Chris Cooper portrait
Chris CooperJohn Laroche
Tilda Swinton portrait
Tilda SwintonValerie Thomas
Jay Tavare portrait
Jay TavareMatthew Osceola
Litefoot portrait
LitefootRussell
Roger Willie portrait
Roger WillieRandy
Jim Beaver portrait
Jim BeaverRanger Tony
Cara Seymour portrait
Cara SeymourAmelia Kavan