Less than 24 hours after former President Donald Trump announced Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his vice-presidential pick, Vance’s 2016 memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” quickly rose to the top of Amazon’s bestselling books list. The surge in popularity of the instant bestseller catapulted Vance into the spotlight, leading to the book's adaptation into an Oscar-nominated film directed by Ron Howard.
Recently, the 2020 film adaptation of “Hillbilly Elegy,” featuring renowned actors Glenn Close and Amy Adams, gained significant traction on Netflix. The movie claimed the 6th spot on Netflix’s Top 10 list in the US, indicating a surge in viewership. According to data from Luminate, viewership of “Hillbilly Elegy” on Netflix spiked by a remarkable 1,179% following Vance’s VP announcement. The film garnered 19.2 million minutes of watch time on Monday, a substantial increase from the 1.5 million minutes it accumulated on the day before Vance's nomination.
Despite its initial reception of negative reviews from critics, “Hillbilly Elegy” received acclaim for the performances of Glenn Close, Amy Adams, and Gabriel Basso, who portrayed key characters in Vance's life. Close's portrayal earned her nominations at both the Oscars and the Razzie Awards, known for recognizing the best and worst in cinema.
In his memoir, Vance delves into his upbringing in Appalachia, highlighting the challenges of poverty, abuse, and his mother's struggles with addiction. The book sparked discussions upon its release, with many viewing it as a possible explanation for Donald Trump's appeal among the White working class. Vance, a Yale Law School graduate turned venture capitalist, later ventured into politics and secured a Senate seat in 2022.
