Screenwriter Jack Thorne Reveals Hidden Link Between ‘Lord of the Flies’ and New Film

British screenwriter Jack Thorne is at the Berlinale this year, promoting his adaptation of the literary classic “Lord of the Flies.” During an early morning Q&A session, Thorne spoke about how both projects—his Netflix breakout, “Adolescence,” and the upcoming adaptation of “Lord of the Flies”—were shot during the same summer.

“We were working on them simultaneously,” he recalled. “And for ‘Adolescence,’ I didn’t go through a very lengthy post-production process.” He explained that while both films “fed into each other, particularly with elements from ‘Lord of the Flies’ impacting ‘Adolescence,'” they also represented distinct periods in time.

“Lord of the Flies” tells the story of a group of young boys under 12 years old who find themselves stranded on an island without adult supervision. Their descent into chaos is central to the narrative. In contrast, “Adolescence,” which was filmed as a single season, follows Jamie—a pre-teen character—who commits a crime after consuming harmful online content.

Thorne delved deeper into how these projects share similarities and distinctions. He noted that while all the boys in “Lord of the Flies” are grappling with who they want to become, the protagonist in “Adolescence,” Jamie, has already made significant decisions about his identity by our introduction point.

“The age difference between 10 and 12 years old compared to 13 and 14 is substantial,” he remarked. “All the boys in ‘Lord of the Flies’ are focused on defining their future personas, whereas Jamie has established a clear sense of self through the events we encounter in ‘Adolescence.'”

When asked about the practical benefits of juggling two projects simultaneously, Thorne shared his perspective. “That’s how I operate,” he stated emphatically. “And I need two active projects because if one gets stuck, it becomes incredibly stressful for me.” He explained that switching from writing “Adolescence” to working on “Lord of the Flies” offers him a much-needed respite, allowing him to recharge and regain confidence when faced with creative challenges.

This approach not only alleviates Thorne’s anxiety but also ensures he doesn’t lose sight of his work. His dual commitments help maintain creativity and focus throughout various stages of filmmaking.