Charlie Kaufman to helm an adaptation of I’m Thinking of Ending Things

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Charlie Kaufman, the writer of such films as BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, and the supremely bizarre adult animated film ANOMALISA, has inked a deal with Netflix to write and direct a film adaptation of Iain Reid's debut novel I'M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS for the streaming network.

Courtesy of the independent film studio Likely Story, the film follows Jake on a road trip to meet his parents on their secluded farm with his girlfriend who is thinking of ending things. When Jake makes an unexpected detour, leaving her stranded, a twisted mix of palpable tension, psychological frailty, and sheer terror ensues.

In addition to penning the film and being the man behind the camera, Kaufman will also produce with Likely Story’s Anthony Bregman, who's collaborated with Kaufman on several of his past projects, including ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, SYNECDOCHE, and NEW YORK. Stefanie Azpiazu will also produce alongside Kaufman and Bregman.

In recent times, Reid's novel was crowned NPR's Best Book of 2016 on account of the story being called a "stark, cerebral thriller," and much more.

Kaufman feels like a fine choice for someone to help bring Reid's dark and dramatic tale to screen. This announcement is yet another feather in Netflix's cap as the mega-popular streamer delves deeper into its original film content. With so many exciting projects on the horizon, it looks like subscribers are being offered much more for their patronage than the ability to binge-watch some of their favorite shows.