Best-Selling 2019 Thriller Novel, Ranked Among 'Most Read Books,' Is Being Made Into a Movie

There’s no denying that TikTok is somewhat responsible for a reading renaissance, with BookTok influencing viewers to pick up a swoon-worthy romance or a nail-biting thriller. If you’re into the latter, chances are that you’ve heard of author Alex Michaelides.

The writer released his gripping debut novel, The Silent Patient, in Feb. 2019, with the psychological thriller captivating readers in their millions. Selling more than 12 million copies since its release, the book shot to No. 1 on The New York Times Best Sellers list in the first week of its publication. Goodreads recently named the book as one of the “Most Read Books of 2026,” proving that Michaelides’ work is still as popular with readers as it was seven years ago.

Production companies previously secured the rights to take the book from page to screen, but few details were shared, and the movie was never officially confirmed — until today. On July 21, 2026,Deadline reported that the book’s upcoming movie adaptation is being fast-tracked, with Sony Pictures joining the project alongside Annapurna andBrad Pitt‘s Plan B, who are set to produce.

Readers are sharing their excitement over this new development, which brings another TikTok-famous novel to life through a feature length film.

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“THANK YOU @sonypictures !!!!!,” book influencer @pavisfrancescha wrote in the caption of an Instagram Reel. “We have The Silent Patient film confirmed FINALLY 🤫 The book that got me into reading thrillers in the first place.”

The Silent Patient tells the story of forensic psychotherapist Theo Faber, who becomes determined to uncover the truth behind the shocking murder of Gabriel Berenson by his wife, Alicia. Once a celebrated painter, Alicia has remained completely silent since the killing and has been committed to a secure psychiatric facility after being declared criminally insane. Believed by many to be beyond help, Alicia has never revealed what drove her to commit the crime. As Theo becomes increasingly obsessed with unlocking her silence, he embarks on a gripping psychological journey that threatens to unravel far more than he ever expected.

Related: Best-Selling Thriller Novel, Soon to Be a Netflix Movie, Ranked Among Books With ‘Best Twists’