Xochitl Gonzalez Book ‘Anita de Monte Laughs Last’ Getting Movie Adaptation
Art by Stephany Torres
Anita de Monte Laughs Last is getting a movie adaptation.
The bestselling novel about a first-generation Ivy League student who discovers the work of a female artist years after her suspicious death is set to be adapted into a film by Searchlight. Eva Longoria will direct and Gonzalez is set to pen the screenplay, which is always a really good sign for fans of a book.
The book, which was published in 2024, made the year’s best lists from Kirkus, Time, NPR, Goodreads and Electric Lit, among others. Gonzalez, who is a staff writer at The Atlantic, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for commentary for her work there.
Her first novel, Olga Dies Dreaming, was also a New York Times bestseller and was ordered to pilot by Hulu. Gonzalez also wrote that adaptation, and a Pilot was filmed with Aubrey Plaza and Ramón Rodriguez. The streamer ultimately passed on the series.
Gonzalez spoke about that experience on the Highly Relevant podcast a few years ago and explained what happened. “You’re dealing with an industry where I think there are 5% more executives of color in oil and gas than there are in entertainment. And the least represented are Latino executives,” she said at the time.
Now, she’s getting another crack with another one of her books. And she’s doing it alongside someone from our communities. In addition to directing, Longoria will also produce the project under her Hyphenate Media Group banner alongside Cris Abrego (the company’s CEO) and Jada Miranda (President of television).
There is still no information about casting or a possible release date.
