Ottessa Moshfegh, the acclaimed author of the noir novel “Eileen,” recently shared her insights on the novel’s adaptation into a film. The story, set in the 1960s, revolves around Eileen Dunlop, a young woman grappling with her complex inner world while working in a Massachusetts youth prison. Moshfegh’s portrayal of Eileen, rife with dark thoughts and desires, pushes the boundaries of traditional female characters.
The Evolution of “Eileen” on Screen
The novel’s transition to the big screen, directed by William Oldroyd, marks a significant shift. The film adaptation, co-written by Moshfegh and her husband Luke Goebel, brings a more explicit portrayal of Eileen’s infatuation with Rebecca, the prison’s new counselor, played by Anne Hathaway. This change highlights the novel’s subtle queer undertones, transforming them into a more visible element of the story.
Queer Representation in Modern Cinema
Moshfegh emphasized that “Eileen” is not just a queer film because of its non-heteronormative themes, but also for its portrayal of complex emotional relationships. The film, joining a growing list of movies with LGBTQ+ themes, adds to the diverse representation of queer narratives in contemporary cinema. Moshfegh’s work, both as a novel and now a film, challenges conventional storytelling, offering a fresh and nuanced exploration of queer identity and desire.