The Talented Mr. Ripley

In episode 10, Alan & Nisha tackle the well-known crime thriller The Talented Mr. Ripley. Written by Patricia Highsmith and released in 1955, this novel kicked off a series of five books that would be published over the next few decades.

This first book has 3 major adaptations, all of which are discussed in this episode. Purple Noon is a French adaptation starring Alain Delon as Tom, released in 1960. The Talented Mr. Ripley, perhaps the most well-known film, was released in 1999 and features a young Matt Damon as Ripley. Finally, the book was most recently adapted as a TV miniseries released by Netflix in 2024, starring Andrew Scott in the title role.

This story has become a template for thrillers since the mid-century, but does it still hold up on its own merits? Each of its screen adaptations color the story with their own flair, but which ones capture it best? How does the story of Tom Ripley and its themes translate to modern day?

Join us to find out!