Manson’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck turned into ‘cinematic documentary’

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, written by Mark Manson and published by Harper in 2016, has been adapted into a “cinematic documentary designed to help us become less awful people” by Universal Pictures Content Group and GFC Film.

New Zealand-based producer Matthew Metcalfe, who previously produced a documentary adaptation of Thomas Picketty’s Capital in the 21st Century (Harvard University Press), is producing. The film will be available to rent and own on digital platforms from 9th January 2023. 

Metcalfe said: “As Mark himself says, it’s really the anti-self-help book. Things are hard. Life is hard. The journey is hard. But most things worth having are difficult. And it made me think about my own life and my own lessons. As difficult as you think your path in life is, it’s almost certain that millions of people have gone before you and probably done it harder. That’s a really powerful idea, and I felt that was something that we could portray on the screen.”

Metcalfe approached Manson about acquiring the rights to film an adaptation, about which Manson said: “We had talked to some other production companies and it didn’t feel quite right. Then when I talked to Matthew at GFC, it was just immediately apparent he was super passionate about the book [and] really into the message.”