Sadie Sink and Lorene Scafaria in Talks for A24 Adaptation of Emma Cline’s ‘The Guest’
A24 and Square Peg are working to acquire film rights to Emma Cline’s novel The Guest. Sadie Sink is being eyed for the lead, while Lorene Scafaria may adapt and direct; Sink would also produce with Square Peg. The 2024 Penguin Random House book focuses on a scheming con artist spending a summer in the Hamptons.
A24 and Square Peg are negotiating for film rights to Emma Cline’s novel The Guest. The deal is not closed; Sadie Sink is in talks to lead and produce with Square Peg, while Lorene Scafaria is in talks to write and direct.
Penguin Random House released the book in 2024. It centers on a manipulative con artist during a Hamptons summer. It was longlisted for the Pen/Faulkner Award and appeared on year-end lists from outlets including The New Yorker, Time, NPR, and The Washington Post.
If the deal closes, the adaptation could introduce Cline’s novel to viewers who rarely read literary fiction, renewing attention on its portrait of manipulation and privilege. Sink’s and Scafaria’s involvement may draw younger audiences and awards watchers, while A24 and Square Peg could gain another prestige project. For readers and film fans, the main effect may be cultural conversation and commercial momentum rather than broad social change.