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Adaptation
CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by Spike Jonze. With Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper.
7.3/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT 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.
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7.3/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTCharlie Kaufman is a confused L.A. screenwriter overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, sexual frustration, self-loathing, and by the screenwriting ambitions of his fre…
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RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for Adaptation.
MoviHero lists December 6, 2002 as the release date for Adaptation. Spike Jonze is the listed director. The listed cast includes Nicolas Cage as Charlie Kaufman / Donald Kaufman, Meryl Streep as Susan Orlean, Chris Cooper as John Laroche, Tilda Swinton as Valerie Thomas. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateDecember 6, 2002
GenresDrama · Crime · Comedy
Runtime1h 55m
DirectorSpike Jonze
CastNicolas Cage as Charlie Kaufman / Donald Kaufman, Meryl Streep as Susan Orlean, Chris Cooper as John Laroche, Tilda Swinton as Valerie Thomas
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is Adaptation right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
Adaptation runs 1h 55m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 5/10: a middle-ground pace.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 4/10. The profile suggests a lower-demand watch, although preferences vary.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 5/10, suggesting a moderate emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
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Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with Adaptation. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 7.3/10 from 2,936 votes. Updated Nov 2, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
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WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing5/10
Emotional Impact5/10
Mind-Bending2/10
Scary1/10
Violence5/10
Rewatchability6/10
Attention Required4/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about Adaptation
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“I'm reacting the way the world does to movies about making movies about making movies.”
Viewer reaction
“When you watch some of Nicolas Cage's more recent stuff you do wonder how on earth he ever became a star in the first place.”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
WORDS THAT STAY WITH YOU
Memorable lines
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“You and I share the same DNA. Is there anything more lonely than that?”
A CLOSER LOOK
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CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
Follow the character.
Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.
otherDefense AttorneyDefense Attorney appears in Adaptation (2002).Open character guide otherValerie ThomasValerie Thomas appears in Adaptation (2002).Open character guide otherDonald KaufmanDonald Kaufman appears in Adaptation (2002).Open character guide otherMatthew OsceolaMatthew Osceola appears in Adaptation (2002).Open character guide otherJohn LarocheJohn Laroche appears in Adaptation (2002).Open character guide otherSusan OrleanSusan Orlean appears in Adaptation (2002).Open character guide
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
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