A film adaptation of V for Vendetta was released in 2006, starring Hugo Weaving as V and Natalie Portman as Evey. The movie generally captures the graphic novel's core themes of anarchy and totalitarianism, though it does make some notable changes to the plot and character motivations.
V for Vendetta draws heavily on historical events and literary influences, including the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. The Guy Fawkes mask worn by V has become a widely recognized symbol of protest and resistance.
V for Vendetta is a complete, self-contained narrative within its single volume. It does not require reading any other works by the author to understand its plot or themes.