From Novel to Screen and Tokyo to London: The Journey of All of Us Strangers

The highly praised film All of Us Strangers, featuring Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott, is an adaptation of Taichi Yamada’s 1987 novel Strangers. Originally, the novel was adapted into the 1988 Japanese film The Discarnates. However, the new adaptation, directed by Andrew Haigh, takes the story from Tokyo to London, showcasing Haigh’s creative vision.

The director said “Adapting the book was a long and sometimes painful process. I wanted to pick away at my own past as Adam does in the film. I was interested in exploring the complexities of both familial and romantic love, but also the distinct experience of a specific generation of gay people growing up in the 80s. I wanted to move away from the traditional ghost story of the novel and find something more psychological, almost metaphysical.” Yamada and his family were incredibly respectful of Haigh’s vision. 

Andrew Haigh, renowned for his poignant portrayals of human relationships in movies such as Weekend and 45 Years, brings his unique style to All of Us Strangers. The story revolves around Adam, a screenwriter dealing with past grief, portrayed by Andrew Scott. Adam’s life undergoes a transformation when he encounters his neighbour Harry, played by Paul Mescal, disrupting his solitary life. 

Searchlight Pictures’ All Of Us Strangers is all set to hit the screen in India on March 8.