SerpApi.Org
One of the most divisive Gothic horror novels is heading to theaters.
Book adaptations have always been popular, with some iconic franchises such as Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and more taking over the box office. BookTok is a new community on TikTok that celebrates and discusses new and interesting novels, which has helped big production companies decipher what's worthy of adaptation. Novels such as Heartstopper and The Summer I Turned Pretty came from BookTok, and now a new but extremely controversial novel will be getting the same treatment.
Author H.D. Carlton confirmed that her novel Haunting Adeline has officially entered development for its movie adaptation. Carlton announced the news on her TikTok account, with comments already listing their dream fan cast, while others are curious to see whether the most graphic scenes in the novel will be shown. The author addresses the fact that she opted for a movie instead of a series and states:
"In my defense, I never thought that I would meet someone from Hollywood that is basically the male version of myself and just as insane as me. So I want to stress to you, all my loves, that I am so involved in this. I have a say in everything. I mean, the script, the casting, the music, the set design, anything and everything that goes into this film.
As for why it's a movie and not a TV show, as much as we both would love for it to be a TV show, there is not, at this current time, a streaming service or network that exists that will platform the TV show without sticking their fingers in it and trying to tame things down, cut things out, and chop it up into pieces on what they think it should look like and what they want it to be."
Haunting Adeline was released in 2021 and follows Adeline Reilly who moves into her family's secluded mansion and uncovers a dangerous stalker named Zade Meadows. Zade relentlessly pursues Adeline as she begins investigating the mysterious death of her great-grandmother. The novel contains extremely graphic themes of violence, stalking, human trafficking, and explicit sexual situations. The novel is part of Carlton's Cat and Mouse Duet series, including Hunting Adeline, Where's Molly, and Satan's Affair.
The heavy themes in both Haunting Adeline and its sequel, Hunting Adeline, have created cause for concern for both fans of the novels and those who are not too keen on what they represent. People have stated on TikTok that "this should not be a movie," and "a movie to romanticize SA is insane." Carlton has made it clear that nothing will be left out of the movie adaptation, but due to the heavy themes, many are already protesting the decision.
At the time of writing, no release date or cast announcements have been made for the Haunting Adeline adaptation.
