Angelina Jolie’s Best Movie Adaptations: How ‘Wanted’ Perfectly Mirrors Her New Comedy ‘Anxious People’

Angelina Jolie has established herself as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actresses, with a filmography spanning a variety of genres, from action-packed thrillers to emotionally charged dramas. As her new film Anxious People prepares for release, an adaptation of Fredrik Backman’s bestselling novel, it offers a unique opportunity to explore her past work in movie adaptations. Known for her roles in high-stakes action films and intense dramas, Jolie’s film adaptations often contain elements of transformation, empowerment, and moral ambiguity. However, Anxious People represents a departure from these, as it blends humor with emotional depth—something Jolie has only occasionally explored in her previous work.

Anxious People: A New Direction for Jolie

Anxious People is an uplifting comedy about a group of strangers taken hostage by a bumbling bank robber during an open house. Amid the chaos, secrets are revealed, and themes of friendship, forgiveness, and hope take center stage. This mix of humor and heart promises to be an exciting turn for Jolie, known primarily for her more intense and action-packed roles. While she has starred in films with some lighthearted moments, Anxious People will be the first project where she dives fully into the comedic space, showcasing her ability to handle both humor and emotional complexity.

Angelina Jolie’s Movie Adaptations

Jolie’s career is filled with films adapted from novels, comics, and historical events, though most of these have leaned toward the dramatic or action-packed genres. Let’s take a closer look at some of her major adaptations:

1. Wanted (2008)
   Wanted, adapted from a graphic novel, features Jolie as Fox, a deadly assassin who mentors the protagonist in a high-octane world of assassins and revenge. While Wanted is primarily an action film, it has a darkly comedic edge with its ironic humor, witty performances, and a storyline that’s full of transformation and empowerment. Although more action-heavy than Anxious People, Wanted shares some of the same irreverence and wit that will be essential in Jolie’s new role.

2. Beowulf (2007)
   This animated film based on the classic epic poem is an action-fantasy with some comedic elements. However, it is far more serious and epic in tone compared to Anxious People. While Beowulf’s fantasy world provides some lighter moments, it doesn’t align with the comedic, character-driven narrative of Anxious People.

3. Tomb Raider (2001) and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life (2003)
   These action-adventure films, based on the popular video game series, are far from comedic. Jolie’s portrayal of the iconic character Lara Croft involves intense action sequences, adventure, and high stakes, with little room for humor. While thrilling, these films don’t align with the lighter, more heartfelt themes found in Anxious People.

4. Changeling (2008)
   Based on true events, Changeling is a gripping drama that tackles themes of injustice, loss, and resilience. While critically acclaimed, it is a serious, emotionally charged film, with no comedic elements to draw from. The stark contrast between this and the lighthearted tone of Anxious People highlights the diversity in Jolie’s filmography.

5. Girl, Interrupted (1999)
   In this adaptation of Susanna Kaysen’s memoir, Jolie plays a young woman in a psychiatric institution. While it won her an Academy Award, the film delves into serious mental health issues and is far from a comedic experience, aligning more with the dramatic side of Jolie’s career.

Comparison with Anxious People

In terms of tone and adaptation type, Wanted is perhaps the most similar to Anxious People. Both films are direct adaptations—Wanted from a graphic novel, and Anxious People from a novel by Fredrik Backman. While Wanted leans into dark humor and action, its wit and ironic commentary on transformation and empowerment are closer to the comedic aspects of Anxious People than Jolie’s more serious works.

The Tomb Raider films, Changeling, and Girl, Interrupted are all excellent adaptations, but they focus on drama and action, with little to no comedy. These films highlight Jolie’s ability to dive deep into emotionally complex roles but offer little in terms of humor or lightness.

Wanted as the Best Match for Anxious People

Among the films in Jolie’s extensive portfolio, Wanted stands out as the best match for Anxious People. While Wanted is primarily an action-packed thriller, it does contain elements of dark humor, making it a relative precursor to the kind of comedy Jolie will explore in Anxious People. Both films offer strong, empowered characters, and while Wanted is action-heavy and Anxious People will center more on character-driven comedy, they share a thematic focus on transformation and empowerment.

Despite the differences in their genres, Wanted provides a glimpse into Jolie’s ability to blend humor with more serious elements, much like what will likely unfold in Anxious People. As she continues to evolve as an actress, it will be exciting to see how she takes on this new, more comedic role and how it complements her diverse career.

Conclusion

Angelina Jolie’s body of work spans several genres, from intense dramas to action-packed blockbusters. While her filmography has included films with some comedic undertones, her upcoming role in Anxious People represents a new direction, focusing more on humor and lightheartedness than many of her previous roles. Of all her adaptations, Wanted comes closest to the comedic aspects of Anxious People, showing Jolie’s range as an actress who can master both dark humor and action. As she embraces new genres, fans can look forward to seeing how her impressive versatility continues to evolve.