May 2, 2025: Oscar winner Angelina Jolie is set to headline the upcoming film adaptation of the bestselling Scandinavian novel Anxious People, to be directed by Marc Forster, as per Deadline.
Based on Fredrik Backman’s internationally acclaimed book, the story unfolds on the eve of Christmas. Jolie will portray Zara, an investment banker who finds herself reluctantly entangled with a group of strangers at a real estate open house. When a failed bank robbery turns into a bizarre hostage situation, chaos, confessions, and unexpected connections emerge among the group.
The film has been described as “a story about a crime that never happened, a bank robber who vanishes, and eight strangers who discover they have more in common than they thought.” It explores themes of friendship, forgiveness, and the resilience of human connection, even during turbulent times.
The screenplay has been adapted by Oscar-nominated writer David Magee, known for Life of Pi, A Man Called Otto, and Finding Neverland.
Producer Wikstrom Nicastro praised Backman’s ability to “speak to our shared humanity,” while Forster called the narrative “filled with humour, heart, chaos, and unexpected hope.” Fellow producer Renee Wolfe added that the film will reflect the spirit of generosity and introspection associated with the holiday season.
Anxious People has already sold over 6 million copies worldwide, and with Jolie leading the cast and Forster at the helm, the movie is expected to reach a vast global audience. Jolie, who recently won a Tony for her production work on The Outsiders, was also seen in Pablo Larraín’s Oscar-nominated biopic Maria and previously directed First They Killed My Father.