What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedAbsolutely Anything
Terry Jones · Film · 2015
If you loved Absolutely Anything, start with Good Omens (Neil Gaiman, 2019) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Absolutely Anything across media.
You loved Absolutely Anything because it explores the absurd, existential friction that occurs when ordinary humans are suddenly granted godlike power or cosmic responsibility.
Books on the same thread
Discworld
Terry Pratchett · Book · 1983
Explores: Social Commentary, Bureaucracy, Anthropomorphic Personification.
Just as Absolutely Anything uses satire to critique human nature, this work employs a sharp, comedic lens to dissect societal bureaucracy and the sheer absurdity of existence through fantasy.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams · Book · 1979
Explores: Existentialism, Bureaucracy, The Absurd.
If the cosmic stakes and existential dread of Absolutely Anything appealed to you, this classic offers a similar blend of humor while navigating the indifferent nature of the universe.
Planet of the Apes
Pierre Boulle · Book · 1963
Explores: Reverse Evolution, Animal Rights, Social Hierarchy.
Like the moral dilemmas faced in Absolutely Anything, this narrative challenges your perception of humanity by placing a man in a position where his species is suddenly judged objectively.
The End of Eternity
Isaac Asimov · Book · 1955
Explores: Temporal Paradoxes, Determinism vs. Free Will, Utopian/Dystopian Societies.
The tension between free will and deterministic forces found in Absolutely Anything is mirrored here, as characters grapple with the heavy, bureaucratic consequences of manipulating time and human fate.
Series on the same thread
Good Omens
Neil Gaiman · Series · 2019
Explores: The Antichrist, End of the World, Unlikely Friendship.
You will find the same irreverent approach to humanity's survival as in Absolutely Anything, as celestial beings attempt to influence human morality with disastrous and comedic results for everyone.
One-Punch Man
Series · 2015
Shares a thread with Absolutely Anything: Existential Crisis.
Much like the protagonist of Absolutely Anything, this character possesses overwhelming power that renders life meaningless, leading to the same existential ennui and satirical look at extraordinary human ability.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams · Series · 1981
Explores: Existentialism, Bureaucracy, Cultural Clash.
This adaptation captures the same cosmic absurdity found in Absolutely Anything, focusing on an ordinary person thrust into a chaotic universe that treats the destruction of Earth as trivial.
The Good Place
Michael Schur · Series · 2016
Explores: Redemption, Moral Improvement, Existentialism.
If the moral evaluation of humanity in Absolutely Anything intrigued you, this series offers a deeper, philosophical look at what it actually means to be a good person post-mortem.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Infinite Monkey Cage
BBC Radio 4 · Podcast
Explores: scientific discovery, astrophysics, cosmology.
The scientific curiosity and humorous take on the universe in this podcast provide the same intellectual, irreverent perspective on existence that grounds the more outlandish premise of Absolutely Anything.
Almost Friday Podcast
Podcast
Explores: Immortal beings, Wizard lore, Historical events (comedic).
These immortal perspective-takers share the same surreal, comedic detachment toward human history that the alien observers in Absolutely Anything demonstrate while evaluating our worth as a species.
Common questions
What is the basic premise of Absolutely Anything?
Absolutely Anything follows a man who is granted the power to do anything he wants by a group of eccentric aliens. These extraterrestrials use his newfound abilities to conduct an experiment determining whether or not the planet Earth is worth saving from total destruction.
Who directed the movie Absolutely Anything?
The film Absolutely Anything was directed by Terry Jones. Released in 2015, the movie centers on a protagonist who navigates the consequences of having unlimited power bestowed upon him by aliens who are observing humanity to decide the fate of the world.
Is Absolutely Anything based on a specific experiment?
In Absolutely Anything, the experiment is conducted by eccentric aliens who give a man the power to do anything he wants. They observe his actions to decide if Earth is worth saving, making his choices the primary factor in their final judgment regarding the planet.
What is the primary conflict in Absolutely Anything?
The primary conflict in Absolutely Anything involves a man tasked with using the power to do anything he wants while under the scrutiny of aliens. These beings are testing him to see if humanity is worth saving, placing the future of Earth directly in his hands.