New York Times Best Selling author Gillian Flynn has three well-known novels (Sharp Objects, Dark Places, and Gone Girl). But for the past ten years, she has found a new calling in life. These movies and TV shows are Flynn's entire body of work from the last decade, based on her written work and inspired by other sources.
Flynn’s first credit as a screenwriter came shortly after the success of her last book, Gone Girl (2012). Working with renowned director David Fincher, Flynn adapted her book into a critically acclaimed movie, which was released in 2014 and garnered many awards nominations.
Warning! Flynn is the book author of Dark Places, but she had nothing to do with the film adaptation that French director Gilles Paquet-Brenner wrote and directed. Despite the cast and the film’s release by indie distributor A24, this is an easy low point on the list since the book is the only worthwhile version of Dark Places.
Flynn wrote one teleplay for the second episode of Sharp Objects, developed by Buddy the Vampire Slayer writer Marti Noxon with every episode directed by Jean-Marc Vallée. She also co-wrote the last two episodes of the miniseries, completing the vision of the series - apart from a few lulls, Sharp Objects is arguably the best of the screen versions of Flynn’s novels.
The last two entries on the list showcase Flynn’s other interest: creating modern adaptations of British TV shows. The first of these is the film Widows, directed and co-written by Steve McQueen, a heist thriller featuring an astounding cast of Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, and Cynthia Erivo.
Finally, here’s the unfortunate final entry of Flynn’s current filmography. She put a lot into this show, credited as creator and writer of every episode. Sadly, Utopia started streaming at the height of the pandemic to mixed reviews, and Amazon cancelled it after one season.
With four screenwriting credits since her last novel, this might be Flynn's new vocation. Either way, she's overdue for a new book!