What to read, watch, and listen to if you loved28 Days
Betty Thomas · Film · 2000
If you loved 28 Days, start with Mom (Eddie Gorodetsky, 2013) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to 28 Days across media.
If 28 Days captured you, you will appreciate these stories exploring the messy, transformative process of finding redemption after hitting rock bottom.
Books on the same thread
Reminders of Him
Colleen Hoover · Book · 2022
Explores: Mother-daughter reconciliation, Social stigma, Forgiveness.
Like the protagonist in 28 Days, Kenna must confront the heavy consequences of her past actions while fighting for a second chance at rebuilding her fractured family life.
The Hours
Michael Cunningham · Book · 1998
Explores: Intergenerational trauma, Existential ennui, Queer identity.
Much like the internal struggle found in 28 Days, this story provides an intimate look at women navigating complex mental health challenges and their search for personal meaning.
The Love Dare
Stephen Kendrick · Book · 2009
Explores: Marriage Enrichment, Communication in Marriage, Commitment.
While 28 Days focuses on individual recovery, this guide offers a structured approach to the forgiveness and commitment themes that are essential for long-term relational healing.
A Clean Mess
Tiffany Jenkins · Book
Explores: overcoming adversity, maternal redemption, cycle of addiction.
This memoir mirrors the journey of the main character in 28 Days, documenting a raw and honest path from the isolation of incarceration to the stability of sobriety.
Series on the same thread
Mom
Eddie Gorodetsky · Series · 2013
Explores: Dysfunctional Family, Addiction Recovery, Mother-Daughter Relationship.
Fans of 28 Days will recognize the blend of humor and hardship as Christy attempts to manage her sobriety while navigating a complicated relationship with her mother.
Arrested Development
Mitchell Hurwitz · Series · 2003
Explores: Dysfunctional Family, Wealth and Privilege, Family Business.
This series captures the chaotic family dynamics and loss of status that Gwen experiences in 28 Days, providing a sharp comedic perspective on people forced to regroup.
Girlfriends
Mara Brock Akil · Series · 2000
Explores: Female friendship, Black female experience, Career women.
The focus on navigating life's trials through the support of close female bonds will resonate with anyone who appreciated the sisterhood themes present throughout 28 Days.
Enlightened
Mike White · Series · 2011
Explores: Self-Improvement, Redemption, Corporate Critique.
Amy’s journey of self-discovery following a public breakdown directly mirrors the transformative arc of the character in 28 Days, balancing satire with a genuine search for improvement.
Podcasts on the same thread
This American Life
This American Life · Podcast · 2026
Explores: The human condition, Personal narrative, Social observation.
Just as 28 Days invites you into a deeply personal recovery narrative, this podcast captures the human condition through honest stories that reflect similar moments of vulnerability.
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
The self-deprecating humor and focus on personal growth found here will appeal to you if you enjoyed the witty, character-driven tone of the protagonist in 28 Days.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is 28 Days a movie about a woman choosing between prison and rehab?
Yes, 28 Days follows the story of Gwen Cummings. After being involved in a drunk driving accident on her sister's wedding day, she is legally required to choose between serving time in prison or attending a rehabilitation center to address her alcohol addiction.
Does 28 Days feature a character struggling to accept their addiction?
Yes, the plot of 28 Days centers on Gwen Cummings as she enters a rehab facility. Throughout her time in the program, she remains extremely resistant to the treatment process and refuses to admit that she has an alcohol addiction.
What is the primary conflict in 28 Days?
The primary conflict in 28 Days is Gwen Cummings's refusal to acknowledge her addiction. After choosing rehab over prison following a car accident, she actively resists the treatment programs provided by the facility instead of participating in her recovery.
Is 28 Days based on a specific event in the protagonist's life?
The narrative of 28 Days begins with a car accident that occurs on the day of the protagonist's sister's wedding. This event serves as the catalyst for the film, forcing Gwen Cummings to face a choice between incarceration or entering a rehabilitation center.