In anticipation of the new series, RIPLEY, coming April 4, 2024 to Netflix, we thought we would explore the past iteration of Mr. Thomas Ripley. Saltburn fans have some new Faire to digest!

Tom Ripley, the enigmatic anti-hero created by Patricia Highsmith, has captivated and unnerved audiences for decades. This amoral social climber lies, cheats, and murders his way to luxury and status, yet he remains oddly sympathetic. His ability to manipulate and survive leaves a trail of fascination in his wake.

The Ripley Novels

The Ripley Saga spans five novels by Patricia Highsmith:

• The Talented Mr. Ripley (1955): Tom Ripley, a young grifter, is sent to Italy to bring back Dickie Greenleaf, a wealthy playboy. Ripley’s obsession with Dickie’s lifestyle leads to deceit, murder, and a dangerous game of assumed identity.
• Ripley Under Ground (1970): Years after Dickie’s death, Ripley enjoys a comfortable life with a wife and an air of respectability. But trouble resurfaces, this time involving art forgery and more murders.
• Ripley’s Game (1974): Ripley is dragged into a deadly assignment by a dying man seeking revenge. This time, Ripley’s target is an innocent, forcing him to confront the boundaries of his own ruthlessness.
• The Boy Who Followed Ripley (1980): Ripley becomes entangled with a young sociopath, their paths intertwining in an escalating dance of violence.
• Ripley Under Water (1991): Ripley’s idyllic life is disrupted when an American couple begins to question the disappearance of a neighbor years earlier.

Movies Featuring Tom Ripley

Ripley’s journey to the big screen has been a captivating one:

• Purple Noon (Plein Soleil, 1960): Alain Delon delivers a chillingly charming performance as Ripley in this French film adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley.
• The American Friend (1977): Wim Wenders directs this loose adaptation of Ripley’s Game. Dennis Hopper portrays Ripley with a cool, detached menace.
• The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999): Matt Damon stars in this acclaimed adaptation, which delves deeper into Ripley’s psychology and his complex relationship with Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law).
• Ripley’s Game (2002): John Malkovich embodies Ripley with a suave and calculating demeanor in this adaptation of the third novel.

Beyond Books and Films

• Television: The character of Tom Ripley is currently being revived in an upcoming Netflix series titled “Ripley,” starring Andrew Scott. The earlier Studio One TV series featured an adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley in 1956.
• Radio: The BBC has produced several radio adaptations of the Ripley books, adding another dimension to Ripley’s story.

Why the Enduring Fascination?

Tom Ripley challenges conventional morality. He’s a chameleon, blending into any social circle, and a surprisingly resourceful killer. The tension lies in whether Ripley will outsmart his pursuers and continue to live his opulent, albeit dishonest, life. It’s this thrilling unpredictability and the glimpses into the mind of a charismatic sociopath that continue to make Tom Ripley a subject of endless discussion and analysis.

Let me know if you’d like more information about any of those specific appearances!