Where to start withThe Passenger
2 versions · originally a film, 1975
Themes: Identity Theft, Existential Crisis, Loss of Identity, On the Run, Mistaken Identity.
Start with The Passenger (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1975) — the film. The Passenger exists in 2 versions across media, beginning as a film in 1975; each is ranked below by what it does best.
Across mediums, The Passenger explores the profound existential weight of shedding one's identity to escape a haunting, inescapable past.
✦ Most fans start here
The Passenger (1975)

The original movie
✦ Start hereThe Passenger
Michelangelo Antonioni · Film · 1975
The Passenger (1975) offers a visually hypnotic, slow-burn cinematic experience that masterfully captures the alienation of a man discarding his life to inhabit the identity of a deceased stranger.
2022 book
The Passenger
Cormac McCarthy · Book · 2022
The Passenger (2022) provides a dense, literary examination of grief and conspiracy, perfect for readers seeking McCarthy’s signature prose style and a deep dive into the psychological dread of loss.
Common questions
Is The Passenger movie from 1975 related to the 2022 book The Passenger?
No, the 1975 movie The Passenger and the 2022 book The Passenger are unrelated works. They share the same title but are distinct projects with different source material and creators.
Should I read The Passenger book before watching The Passenger movie?
You do not need to read the 2022 book The Passenger before watching the 1975 movie The Passenger. Because these two titles are completely separate works, there is no narrative connection or required viewing order between them.
Are there multiple versions of The Passenger to watch?
The primary work referenced is the 1975 movie The Passenger. While there is also a 2022 book titled The Passenger, it is a separate literary work and not a screen adaptation of the same story.
Is The Passenger book an adaptation of The Passenger movie?
The 2022 book The Passenger is not an adaptation of the 1975 movie The Passenger. Despite sharing an identical title, the book and the film are independent projects that do not share source material.