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MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 2002 โ€บ Adaptation.

Adaptation. poster

Adaptation. (2002)

โ€œFrom the creator of Being John Malkovich, comes the story about the creator of Being John Malkovich.โ€

7.3/10 ยท 2,897 votes 1h 55m r ComedyDramaCrime

#29 of 154 films from 2002 #461 of 2885 in comedy

Directed by Spike Jonze ยท Written by Charlie Kaufman, Susan Orlean

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

Charlie Kaufman is a confused L.A. screenwriter overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, sexual frustration, self-loathing, and by the screenwriting ambitions of his freeloading twin brother Donald. While struggling to adapt "The Orchid Thief," by Susan Orlean, Kaufman's life spins from pathetic to bizarre. The lives of Kaufman and Orlean's book become strangely intertwined as each one's search for passion collides with the other's.

Cast

Nicolas Cageas Charlie Kaufman / Donald Kaufman
Meryl Streepas Susan Orlean
Chris Cooperas John Laroche
Tilda Swintonas Valerie Thomas
Jay Tavareas Matthew Osceola
Litefootas Russell
Roger Willieas Randy
Jim Beaveras Ranger Tony
Cara Seymouras Amelia Kavan
Doug Jonesas Augustus Margary
Gary Farmeras Buster Baxley
Peter Jasonas Defense Attorney
Gregory Itzinas Prosecutor
Curtis Hansonas Orlean's Husband

Facts

Release dateDecember 6, 2002
Runtime115 min (1h 55m) โ€” about the same as the 2002 average of 106 min
GenresComedy, Drama, Crime
LanguageEN
Budget$19,000,000
Box office$32,800,000 (1.7ร— budget)
IMDbtt0268126

More from Spike Jonze

HerHer2013 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 2h 6m Being John MalkovichBeing John Malkovich1999 ยท โ˜… 7.4 ยท 1h 53m Where the Wild Things AreWhere the Wild Things Are2009 ยท โ˜… 6.5 ยท 1h 41m

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Questions

How long is Adaptation.?
Adaptation. runs 115 minutes (1h 55m).
Is Adaptation. worth watching?
TMDB users give it 7.3/10 across 2,897 votes, which places it #29 of 154 films released in 2002 in this index (top 82%) and #461 among 2885 comedy titles.
Who directed Adaptation.?
Adaptation. was directed by Spike Jonze. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Her (2013), Being John Malkovich (1999), Where the Wild Things Are (2009).
Who stars in Adaptation.?
Nicolas Cage as Charlie Kaufman / Donald Kaufman; Meryl Streep as Susan Orlean; Chris Cooper as John Laroche; Tilda Swinton as Valerie Thomas; Jay Tavare as Matthew Osceola; Litefoot as Russell.
What is Adaptation. rated?
It carries a r certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for Adaptation.?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/19284.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.