Criminal Adaptations

Criminal Adaptations
  • 4.9 (8)
  • TRUE CRIME
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Criminal Adaptations is a True Crime/Movie Review Podcast discussing some of your favorite films, and the true crime stories that inspired them. With hosts Remi, who spent over a decade working in the film and television industry, and Ashley, a clinical psychologist and forensic evaluator.  They discuss a new movie each week and compare the film to the real life events that the film is based on.

  1. 12H AGO

    Snowden

    The movie Snowden (2016) presents the protagonist as a reluctant whistleblower who sacrifices everything to expose government surveillance – but how closely does the film match the real man and case? In part one of our two-part season finale, we break down Oliver Stone’s biopic, staring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley, alongside the true story of Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor whose leaked documents revealed the scope of mass surveillance in the United States and beyond.  We examine Snowden’s background, motivations, and personal relationships as portrayed on screen, then compare them to the documented timeline of events – from his work inside the intelligence community to the moment he decided to go public. We also look at what the movie emphasizes for emotional impact, what it simplifies or leaves out, and how political beliefs shape the way this story is told. Ultimately, this episode asks whether Snowden (2016) is a faithful retelling, a political statement, or something in between – and why the real-world consequences of the case continue to matter today.  Primary Sources: Washington Post (2014)New York Times (2015)The Times (2015)Snowden, Edward. Permanent Record. Picador Paper (2019).United States of America v. Edward Snowden (2019) Instagram: @CriminalAdaptations Email us: criminaladaptations@gmail.com TikTok: @criminaladaptations X: x.com/CriminalAdapt Theme: DARKNESS (feat. EdKara) by Ghost148

    2h 14m

  2. FEB 2

    Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

    If the rage, grief, and unanswered questions at the heart of Martin McDonagh’s Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) felt almost too real – that’s because they were. In this episode we start by discussing McDonagh’s critically acclaimed and Oscar winning film, which also happens to be one of co-host Ashley’s favorite movies. Next, we compare the case to the still-unsolved 1991 murder of Kathy Page, a case that has haunted her family and the community for decades. We break down the sticking parallels between the movie and Kathy Page’s story: a parent’s public protest, law enforcement failures, billboards demanding a resolution, and the emotional toll of living without justice. We also explore where the film diverges from reality, how fiction reshapes trauma, and what the movies leaves out about the long-term impact on victims’ families. Ultimately, this episode asks a difficult question – when a case goes cold, what does justice actually look like, and who gets to decide when the story is over? If you or anyone you know has information about the murder of Kathy Page, visit the following websites: Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers Cold Case, or Texas Crime Stoppers. Anonymous tips can also be placed by calling 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-346-3243.  Primary Sources: Unsolved Mysteries (1997)Cold Justice (2018)ABC 12 News (2018)American Press (2021)Crime Junkie Podcast (2022)Beaumont Enterprise (2022)FKDM (2024)Unsolved Mysteries Instagram: @CriminalAdaptations Email us: criminaladaptations@gmail.com TikTok: @criminaladaptations X: x.com/CriminalAdapt Theme: DARKNESS (feat. EdKara) by Ghost148

    1h 27m

  3. JAN 19

    Loving

    In 2016, Jeff Nichols’ Loving, staring Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton, brought the quiet, intimate story of Richard and Mildred Loving to the big screen – but just how closely does the film reflect the real case that changed American history? In this episode, we compare Loving (2016) to the true events of Loving v. Virginia, the landmark 1967 Supreme Court decision that struck down laws banning interracial marriage. We explore who Richard and Mildred Loving were, what life was like for them in 1950s Virginia, and how their private desire to live as a married couple turned into a constitutional battle. From the film’s restrained storytelling and emotional tone to the legal realities, timelines, and historical context left on the margin, we break down what the movie gets right, what it simplifies, and why the real story remains just as powerful, if not more so, than its Hollywood portrayal.  Primary Sources: Loving v. Virginia, 388 US 1 (1967)The Loving Story (2012)Brimner, Larry. Finding a Way Home: Mildred and Richard Loving and the Fight for Marriage Equality. Calkins Creek (2020). Instagram: @CriminalAdaptations Email us: criminaladaptations@gmail.com TikTok: @criminaladaptations X: x.com/CriminalAdapt Theme: DARKNESS (feat. EdKara) by Ghost148

    1h 50m

  4. JAN 5

    Bronson

    In this episode we dive into the wild, chaotic world of Bronson (2008), the stylized film starring Tom Hardy, and unravel how it compares to the real-life story of Michael Gordon Peterson, better known as Charles Bronson. We break down what the movie got right, what it exaggerated, and what was left out entirely. From Bronson’s early life and first arrests, to the decades he spent in solitary conferment, to his transformation into an underground celebrity. Join us as we discuss how “Britain’s most violent prisoner” became a myth with a life story worthy of the silver screen.  Primary Source: Bronson, Charles. Bronson. 2009. Instagram: @CriminalAdaptations Email us: criminaladaptations@gmail.com TikTok: @criminaladaptations X: x.com/CriminalAdapt Theme: DARKNESS (feat. EdKara) by Ghost148

    2h 2m

  5. 12/22/2025

    Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

    In this episode, we dive deep into the shadows of Savannah to uncover the truth behind Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997). The bestselling book and Clint Eastwood’s film adaptation, staring John Cusack and Kevin Spacey, turned the city’s notorious murder case into a cultural phenomenon – but how closely does Hollywood’s version match reality? Join us as we unravel the real story of Jim Williams, the charismatic antiques dealer at the center of four dramatic trials for the shooting death of Danny Hansford, and explore how the movie reshaped timelines, characters, and motives for cinematic effect. From the true personalities behind Savannah’s eccentric social scene to the legal twists that kept the city spellbound for nearly a decade, we separate fact from fiction and reveal what details the film left out. Primary Source: Berendt, John. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Random House (1994).  Instagram: @CriminalAdaptations Email us: criminaladaptations@gmail.com TikTok: @criminaladaptations X: x.com/CriminalAdapt Theme: DARKNESS (feat. EdKara) by Ghost148

    2h 15m

  6. 12/08/2025

    A Few Good Men

    “You can’t handle the truth!” – the line that echoed through theaters and cemented A Few Good Men (1992) as a Hollywood classic. But behind the sharp uniforms and courtroom tension lies a real story far darker than what is portrayed on screen. In 1986, a Marine was brutally hazed by his unit at Guantanamo Bay – an act that sparked a court-martial and inspired Aaron Sorkin’s legendary script. The film captivated audiences with its star-studded cast – Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon – but for one of the real Marines involved, the story didn’t end with the credits. Years later, David Cox – a decorated Marine and the man whose experience helped shape the movie – was found murdered in a remote area outside Boston. This episode explores the origin of A Few Good Men (1992), the aftermath, and the unsolved murder of a man beloved by so many. Primary Sources: Baltimore Sun (1994)Variety (1994)Unsolved Mysteries, Season 8, Episode 15 (1996)New York Times (2011)Boston 25 News (2014)The Mystery of David Cox (2017)The Atlanta Journal Constitution (2019)Ranker (2024) Instagram: @CriminalAdaptations Email us: criminaladaptations@gmail.com TikTok: @criminaladaptations X: x.com/CriminalAdapt Theme: DARKNESS (feat. EdKara) by Ghost148

    1h 38m

  7. 11/24/2025

    Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

    In our first ever western episode, we dive into the legend behind Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) – the classic film starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford that turned the two outlaws into folk heroes. How close did Hollywood get to the real story of Robert LeRoy Parker (Butch Cassidy) and Harry Longabaugh (Sundance Kid), and where did the truth get lost? We’ll unpack the infamous train robberies, the Wild Bunch gang, their mysterious escape into South America, and how the film’s charm reshaped their legacy. Was the ending as romantic as it seemed, or did history write a grittier final chapter? Tune in for the truth behind the myth of the old west’s most iconic duo. Primary Source: Leerhsen, Charles. Butch Cassidy: The True Story of an American Outlaw. Simon & Schuster (2020). Instagram: @CriminalAdaptations Email us: criminaladaptations@gmail.com TikTok: @criminaladaptations X: x.com/CriminalAdapt Theme: DARKNESS (feat. EdKara) by Ghost148

    1h 45m

  8. 11/10/2025 · BONUS

    Monster: The Ed Gein Story - Part 2 (Bonus Episode)

    This week we conclude our Halloween bonus series on Ed Gein by talking about episodes five through eight of Monster: The Ed Gein Story. How did this season compare to the last two and what creative liberties were taken to bring Ed Gein’s story to our TV screens? Listen now to find out. You can stream the full season of Monster: The Ed Gein Story on Netflix. Instagram: @CriminalAdaptations Email us: criminaladaptations@gmail.com TikTok: @criminaladaptations X: x.com/CriminalAdapt Theme: DARKNESS (feat. EdKara) by Ghost148

    1h 29m
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About

Criminal Adaptations is a True Crime/Movie Review Podcast discussing some of your favorite films, and the true crime stories that inspired them. With hosts Remi, who spent over a decade working in the film and television industry, and Ashley, a clinical psychologist and forensic evaluator.  They discuss a new movie each week and compare the film to the real life events that the film is based on.

Information

  • Creator
    Criminal Adaptations
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Criminal Adaptations
  • Show Website
    Criminal Adaptations