Upcoming Horror Film by The Babadook Director to Adapt a Clive Barker Story

Jennifer Kent to Adapt Clive Barker’s Classic ‘The Thief of Always’

Renowned for her groundbreaking work in horror, Jennifer Kent—director of the acclaimed film The Babadook—is set to return to the genre with an adaptation of a Clive Barker classic. Known for its gripping exploration of psychological terror, The Babadook ranks among the finest horror films of the past decade, claiming the 34th spot on our list of top horror movies.

A Brief Hiatus and Notable Works

Since the success of The Babadook, Kent has been associated with numerous film and television projects. However, she has only released one feature film during that time: the 2018 survival horror tale, The Nightingale.

Returning to Horror with ‘The Thief of Always’

Recent reports suggest that Kent is gearing up for her next project, an adaptation of Clive Barker’s 1992 novel, ‘The Thief of Always’, a tale steeped in rich thematic elements and captivating storytelling.

The Thief of Always novel. — Cover of ‘The Thief of Always’ by Clive Barker.

In September, Kent hinted at this exciting development during an interview with Gizmodo, stating, “We’re about to announce something that’s going ahead, a film based on a book. A very well-known horror book. But I can’t really say more than that at this point.”

Exploring Themes of Childhood and Time

According to reports from World of Reel, Kent’s adaptation will focus on Barker’s The Thief of Always, which previously saw a comic adaptation in 2005. The novel is a captivating fable told with a fairytale’s sensibility, designed to resonate with both young readers and adults.

The Thief of Always comic. — Comic adaptation of ‘The Thief of Always’.

Barker himself has described the book’s dual appeal: for children, it’s an adventurous tale about a boy who discovers a house with enticing promises and a sinister secret. In contrast, for adults, it poses deeper questions surrounding the passage of time and the irreversible nature of lost childhood moments.

He elaborated, “I was striving for the same kind of layered effect you get with ‘Alice in Wonderland’ or ‘The Halloween Tree’—stories brimming with richness that reveal more depth as one ages.”

Looking Ahead

Fans of horror and literary adaptations alike are keenly awaiting official updates regarding this promising project. As Kent embarks on this new journey, her vision will likely bring a unique perspective to Barker’s well-loved narrative.

Stay tuned for further announcements on this adaptation as they become available!

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