Amazon MGM Wins 'Yesteryear' Rights, Anne Hathaway to Star in 1800s Satire
Updated
Updated · Evie Magazine · May 13
Amazon MGM Wins 'Yesteryear' Rights, Anne Hathaway to Star in 1800s Satire
3 articles · Updated · Evie Magazine · May 13
Amazon MGM Studios won a competitive auction for Caro Claire Burke’s debut novel “Yesteryear,” with Anne Hathaway attached to star and produce through Somewhere Pictures.
Hannah Friedman, an Emmy-winning writer, has been tapped to adapt the story, which follows an influencer who glamorizes tradwife life before waking up in the 1800s.
Early readers called the book an “insane fever dream” and “gut-wrenching,” saying it probes postpartum depression, emotional repression and the cost of turning domestic life into online content.
Online reaction surged within 24 hours, with commenters framing the project as a flashpoint in debates over influencer culture, performative femininity and the tradwife aesthetic.
The source novel was called 'unfilmable.' How will Anne Hathaway’s film fix its criticized portrayal of postpartum trauma?
Will the film just critique 'tradwife' culture, or will it expose the systemic workplace pressures that make it seem appealing?
As AI learns to replicate human identity, does this film's influencer critique reveal a much larger threat to our authentic selves?
From Bestseller to Battleground: The Polarizing Impact of Yesteryear’s Novel and Film Adaptation on Gender and Influencer Culture
Overview
Caro Claire Burke’s debut novel, Yesteryear, published in April 2026, quickly became a cultural touchstone thanks to its commercial success and the intense, often polarized online debate it sparked. This widespread discussion fueled even greater interest, leading Amazon MGM Studios to secure the film rights and attach Anne Hathaway as both star and producer. The novel’s controversial themes and divided reception not only boosted its sales but also set the stage for a highly anticipated film adaptation, which is now expected to further amplify the ongoing cultural conversations around womanhood, influencer culture, and traditional values.