In a land of lies and liquor, the only truth is what you refuse to write.
The Rum Diary (2025) is a reimagined adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s semi-autobiographical novel, diving deeper into the chaos, corruption, and personal disillusionment of a journalist lost in paradise. Set in the 1960s against the fading glamour and rising exploitation of Puerto Rico, the film follows Paul Kemp, a restless American writer drifting from job to job until he lands at a struggling local newspaper in San Juan.
What begins as a tropical escape quickly devolves into a haze of rum-soaked nights, bizarre encounters, and moral crises. Caught between a greedy American land developer, a dangerously seductive woman, and his own growing disgust with the lies he’s expected to print, Paul must decide whether to sell out or stand up—even if his only weapon is a typewriter and a hangover.
With a grittier tone and updated storytelling, The Rum Diary (2025) leans into the noir elements of Thompson’s writing, offering sharp political critique, dry humor, and surreal visuals that mirror Kemp’s descent into madness and clarity. Directed by Barry Jenkins, the film balances sun-drenched beauty with cultural tension, colonial critique, and the heavy realization that paradise was never meant for everyone.
Ultimately, The Rum Diary is a story of rebellion—against apathy, authority, and the comfort of silence.
