Strangers on a Train. Poster of the 1951 movie and cover of the 1950 book
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Strangers on a Train
Patricia Highsmith, 1950
movie vs book
Alfred Hitchcock, 1951

Amateur tennis star Guy Haines wants to divorce his promiscuous wife Miriam so he can marry Anne Morton, the daughter of a US Senator. On a train, smooth-talking psychopath Bruno Antony recognizes Haines and reveals his idea for a murder scheme: two perfect strangers meet and swap murders — Bruno suggests he kill Miriam and Guy kill Bruno’s hated father.


Purple Noon. Poster of the 1960 movie and cover of the 1955 book, The Talented Mr. Ripley
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The Talented Mr. Ripley
Patricia Highsmith, 1955
movie vs book
René Clément, 1960

The American Tom Ripley has been sent to Italy to persuade the wealthy Philippe Greenleaf to return to San Francisco and take over his father’s business. Philippe intends to do no such thing and the impoverished Tom enjoys living a life of luxury, so the two men essentially spend money all day and carouse all night.


The Talented Mr. Ripley. Poster of the 1999 movie and cover of the 1955 book
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The Talented Mr. Ripley
Patricia Highsmith, 1955
movie vs book
Anthony Minghella, 1999

While working at a fancy party as a pianist, Tom Ripley is approached by shipping magnate Herbert Greenleaf, who believes that Ripley attended Princeton with his son, Dickie, because Ripley is wearing a borrowed Princeton jacket. Eventually, Dickie tires of him and starts spending time with his patrician, socialite friend Freddie Miles, who treats Ripley with contempt. They argue on a small boat, and Dickie says he has had enough of Ripley and is going to marry Marge.


The American Friend. Poster of the 1977 movie and cover of the 1974 book, Ripley's Game
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Ripley's Game
Patricia Highsmith, 1974
movie vs book
Wim Wenders, 1977

Tom Ripley is a wealthy American living in Hamburg, Germany. He is involved in an artwork forgery scheme, in which he appears at auctions to bid on forged paintings produced by an accomplice to drive up the price. At one of these auctions, he is introduced to Jonathan Zimmermann, a picture framer who is dying of leukemia.


Carol. Poster of the 2015 movie and cover of the 1952 book, The Price of Salt
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The Price of Salt
Patricia Highsmith, 1952
movie vs book
Todd Haynes, 2015

During the Christmas season of 1952, aspiring photographer Therese Belivet is working in Frankenberg’s department store in Manhattan. A mutual friend, Dannie, invites Therese to his workplace, The New York Times, and offers to introduce her to a photo editor friend.


Eaux profondes. Poster of the 1981 movie and cover of the 1957 book, Deep Water
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Deep Water
Patricia Highsmith, 1957
movie vs book
Michel Deville, 1981

Melanie enjoys flirting and having little affairs. Her husband Victor seems to bear her antics with utmost calm and nonchalance. This impression turns out to be wrong, very wrong indeed.


This Sweet Sickness. Poster of the 1977 movie and cover of the 1960 book
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This Sweet Sickness
Patricia Highsmith, 1960
movie vs book
Claude Miller, 1977

David, an accountant, has a routine of leaving town every Friday, ostensibly to tend to his parents at their retirement home. In truth, his parents have passed away, and he spends his weekends renovating a chalet. His plan is to share the chalet with Lise, a woman he has known and loved since childhood. However, Lise has recently married someone else and now has a baby.


Ripley's Game. Poster of the 2002 movie and cover of the 1974 book
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Ripley's Game
Patricia Highsmith, 1974
movie vs book
Liliana Cavani, 2002

Tom Ripley is involved in an art forgery scheme in Berlin, in partnership with British gangster Reeves. Upon finding out that Reeves has attempted to cheat him, Ripley forces Reeves’ customer at gunpoint to give him the money intended for the forgeries, and kills the man’s bodyguard. He also steals back the artwork for himself, and curtly tells Reeves that their partnership is over.


Chillers. Poster of the 1990 TV series and cover of the 2001 book, The Selected Stories of Patricia Highsmith
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The Selected Stories of Patricia Highsmith
Patricia Highsmith, 2001
TV series vs book
Mai Zetterling, Roger Andrieux, Maroun Bagdadi, John Berry, Robert Bierman, 1990

Each episode featured a different horror story, often with supernatural or macabre elements. The series draw inspiration from various horror genres, including ghost stories, psychological thrillers, and tales of the occult. Each standalone episode offers viewers a unique and chilling experience, exploring themes of fear, suspense, and the unknown.


Le cri du hibou. Poster of the 1987 movie and cover of the 1962 book, The Cry of the Owl
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The Cry of the Owl
Patricia Highsmith, 1962
movie vs book
Claude Chabrol, 1987

Parisian illustrator Robert becomes obsessed with a young woman, Juliette. Night after night, Robert sneaks around the house to catch a glimpse of Juliette, until one day he finally gathers the courage to introduce himself. Juliette realizes that she is not happy with her fiancé, Patrick, and leaves him to be with Robert. Robert in turn is not happy with Juliette’s obtrusive advances.


Do Revenge. Poster of the 2022 movie and cover of the 1950 book, Strangers on a Train
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Strangers on a Train
Patricia Highsmith, 1950
movie vs book
Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, 2022

High school students Drea and Eleanor find their lives disrupted when they face rejection from their school peers. Drea feels shame after a private video meant for her boyfriend Max is leaked, while Eleanor becomes an outcast due to a false rumor about her behavior with Carissa. Bonding over their shared experiences, Drea and Eleanor decide to support each other and confront those who have bullied them.


The Two Faces of January. Poster of the 2014 movie and cover of the 1964 book
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The Two Faces of January
Patricia Highsmith, 1964
movie vs book
Hossein Amini, 2014

In 1962, con man Chester MacFarland and his wife Colette tour Greece and visit the Acropolis of Athens. There, they meet Rydal Keener who scams tourists while working as a tour guide. The MacFarlands discover that Rydal is an American and invite him to dinner. Rydal, intrigued by the couple’s wealth and Colette’s beauty, accepts their invitation and brings along a girlfriend.