Netflix to Adapt Award-Winning Novel ‘The Remembered Soldier’
Netflix is expanding its portfolio of prestige literary adaptations, securing the rights to the prize-winning novel The Remembered Soldier following a competitive bidding war. The streaming giant has tapped writer-director Olivia Newman to lead the project, signaling a continued commitment to high-drama, book-based cinema.
Newman, who is rapidly establishing herself as a specialist in dramatic book adaptations, will both write and direct the feature. She will reunite with producers Bryan Unkeless and Peter Craig, operating under their Night Owl Stories banner, with Gregory Cohen also serving as executive producer for Night Owl Stories.
Exploring ‘The Remembered Soldier’: A Story of Memory and Identity
Written by Anjet Daanje and published by New Vessel Press, The Remembered Soldier is a Dutch historical novel set in the aftermath of the First World War. The narrative centers on a shell-shocked veteran struggling with amnesia, possessing no memory of his life prior to the conflict.
The plot intensifies with the arrival of Julienne Coppens, a woman who claims the veteran is her husband, a photographer named Amand, who has been missing for years. The story explores themes of identity, the fragility of the self, and the human need to be known, driven by the central tension of whether Coppens is telling the truth about their shared past.
The novel has garnered significant critical acclaim, including:
- Major Awards: Winner of the 2026 Republic of Consciousness Prize.
- Prestigious Shortlists: A finalist for the National Book Award and a longlisted selection for the International Booker Prize.
- Critical Lists: Named one of the 100 Notable Books of 2025 by the New York Times, one of the 10 Best Books of 2025 by the Wall Street Journal, and a 2025 Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly.
Olivia Newman’s Rise as a Literary Filmmaker
The selection of Olivia Newman for The Remembered Soldier marks her fourth book adaptation as a director and her second as a writer. Newman has built a reputation for translating complex prose into successful screen dramas, previously directing Sony’s 2022 film Where the Crawdads Sing.
Most recently, Newman collaborated with Netflix on Remarkably Bright Creatures, an adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt’s best-selling novel starring Sally Field. The film saw immediate success, leaping into the top 10 within three days of its release and reaching the number one spot on Netflix on Mother’s Day. The film also gained significant cultural traction, sparking viral trends on TikTok among viewers.
This project also marks Newman’s third collaboration with producer Bryan Unkeless, who produced her feature debut, the wrestling drama First Match.
Key Project Details
| Role | Personnel/Entity |
|---|---|
| Writer/Director | Olivia Newman |
| Producers | Bryan Unkeless & Peter Craig (Night Owl Stories) |
| Executive Producer | Gregory Cohen (Night Owl Stories) |
| Source Material | The Remembered Soldier by Anjet Daanje |
| Representation | WME, Untitled Entertainment, and Jackoway Austen (Newman) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plot of The Remembered Soldier?
The story is a historical drama set after World War I. It follows an amnesiac veteran and a woman named Julienne Coppens, who claims he is her long-lost husband, Amand. The film will explore whether her claims are true as the two build a new life together.
Who is directing the movie?
Olivia Newman is writing and directing the film. She is known for her work on Where the Crawdads Sing and Netflix’s Remarkably Bright Creatures.
Is the movie based on a true story?
The movie is based on a Dutch historical novel by Anjet Daanje. While set against the real historical backdrop of the post-WWI era, it is a work of literary fiction focusing on memory and identity.
As Netflix continues to lean into “weepie” hits and prestige literary adaptations, The Remembered Soldier is positioned to be a cornerstone of the platform’s dramatic slate, leveraging Newman’s proven track record with book-to-screen transitions.