HBO’s 8-Part American Gothic Thriller Is a Sleeper Hit

Gillian Flynnbecame one of the most popular contemporary crime novelists thanks to the success of her third book Gone Girl, which was adapted into an Oscar-nominated film by David Fincher. Gone Girl told a twisty story that nonetheless could be condensed into a two-hour experience, but Flynn’s debut novel Sharp Objectswas an even darker, thornier psychological mysterythat required a more extended running time. In addition to the deeply internalized trauma that the central character deals with, Sharp Objects also included flashbacks, nightmare scenes, and a wealth of supporting characters who needed to be fleshed out in more detail. Sharp Objects still needed the precision of a great filmmaker, which is why HBO hired the late great Jean-Marc Vallée, a talented director who previously helmed the Oscar-nominated films Wild and Dallas Buyers Club. However, the truly genius decision was to cast Amy Adamsin the role of the complex protagonist Camille Preaker in what may be the single best performance that she’s ever given.