What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedA Hologram for the King
Tom Tykwer · Film · 2016
If you loved A Hologram for the King, start with The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece (Tom Hanks) — a book on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to A Hologram for the King across media.
You appreciated how A Hologram for the King explores the disorienting, often absurd experience of navigating unfamiliar professional environments and midlife existential shifts.
Books on the same thread
The Tommyknockers
Stephen King · Book · 2016
Explores: Technological Horror, Mind Control, Alien Artifacts.
Like the creeping unease in A Hologram for the King, this story masterfully captures the anxiety of encountering a mysterious, transformative force that disrupts the familiar patterns of daily life.
The Broken Jug
Heinrich von Kleist · Book · 2016
Explores: Justice, Deception, Hypocrisy.
If you enjoyed the bureaucratic absurdity of A Hologram for the King, you will appreciate how this satirical farce highlights the hypocrisy and deception inherent in institutional power structures.
The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece
Tom Hanks · Book
Explores: creative process, interconnected narratives, historical influence.
Much like the industry focus in A Hologram for the King, this meta-fictional narrative pulls back the curtain on professional creative processes and the interconnected nature of modern storytelling.
Exile and the Kingdom
Albert Camus · Book · 2006
Explores: Alienation, Isolation, Meaninglessness.
These stories echo the existential isolation found in A Hologram for the King, focusing on characters reaching pivotal, revelatory moments while grappling with the inherent absurdity of their lives.
Series on the same thread
Tulsa King
Taylor Sheridan · Series · 2022
Shares a thread with A Hologram for the King: Culture Clash.
This series mirrors the fish-out-of-water premise of A Hologram for the King, following a displaced professional who must rebuild his life and identity in an entirely foreign environment.
To Play the King
Andrew Davies · Series · 1993
Explores: Power Struggle, Political Intrigue, Monarchy vs. Government.
Fans of the political tension in A Hologram for the King will find the power struggles and moral decay depicted here to be a gripping exploration of institutional conflict.
Ted Lasso
Jason Sudeikis · Series · 2020
Explores: Optimism, Underdog Story, Cultural Clash.
Like the protagonist of A Hologram for the King, Ted experiences a profound cultural clash upon moving abroad, finding that his professional background does not prepare him for reality.
Kidding
Dave Holstein · Series · 2018
Explores: Mental Health, Grief, Loss of Innocence.
Those drawn to the quiet desperation of A Hologram for the King will relate to this poignant look at a man struggling to maintain his identity during personal crisis.
Podcasts on the same thread
This American Life
This American Life · Podcast · 2026
Explores: The human condition, Personal narrative, Social observation.
These audio stories capture the same blend of humor and human observation that defines A Hologram for the King, focusing on the unexpected twists within the modern human condition.
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
This podcast explores the same professional isolation and midlife introspection that Alan Clay faces in A Hologram for the King, presented through a lens of honest, self-deprecating humor.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is A Hologram for the King based on a true story?
A Hologram for the King is a fictional narrative directed by Tom Tykwer. It follows the journey of Alan Clay, a businessman who travels to Saudi Arabia to sell technology to the King, rather than depicting real historical events or specific biographical accounts of an actual American businessman.
What is the primary conflict Alan Clay faces in A Hologram for the King?
In A Hologram for the King, Alan Clay encounters significant professional and personal obstacles. He must navigate complex Middle Eastern bureaucracy and deal with a perpetually absent monarch while simultaneously managing a health crisis involving a suspicious growth on his back that complicates his stay in Saudi Arabia.
Who directed the 2016 film A Hologram for the King?
The 2016 film A Hologram for the King was directed by Tom Tykwer. The story centers on an American businessman named Alan Clay as he attempts to secure a technology contract with the King of Saudi Arabia while facing various bureaucratic and personal challenges during his trip.
Is A Hologram for the King set in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, A Hologram for the King is set in Saudi Arabia. The plot follows Alan Clay as he travels to the country to present new technology to the King, eventually becoming trapped in a cycle of bureaucracy and personal health concerns while waiting for the monarch to arrive.