If you loved
All Systems Red
Martha Wells · Book · 2017
If you loved All Systems Red, you likely crave stories that explore the intersection of cynical, isolated protagonists and the complexities of artificial consciousness.
Films on the same thread
Ex Machina
Alex Garland · Film · 2015
Shares a thread with All Systems Red: Techno-Thriller.
Like the protagonist of All Systems Red, this film forces a deep examination of sentience, stripping away the exterior to confront the existential weight of being a manufactured consciousness.
Project Hail Mary
Phil Lord · Film · 2026
Explores: competence porn, amnesia, interspecies friendship.
Fans of the analytical, problem-solving mindset in All Systems Red will appreciate the way this story focuses on individual competence and survival against overwhelming odds in the vastness of space.
A Clockwork Orange
Stanley Kubrick · Film · 1971
Explores: Free Will vs. Determinism, Societal Control, Violence and Redemption.
If the societal critique and internal struggle of All Systems Red resonated with you, this exploration of forced rehabilitation and free will offers a similarly dark, unflinching look at humanity.
2001: A Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick · Film · 1968
Shares a thread with All Systems Red: Space Opera.
Much like the technological evolution explored in All Systems Red, this classic examines the profound risks of artificial intelligence and the existential implications of humanity encountering its own mechanical creations.
Series on the same thread
Westworld
Jonathan Nolan · Series · 2016
Explores: Artificial Intelligence, Existentialism, Free Will vs. Determinism.
This series expands on the questions of bodily autonomy and corporate control found in All Systems Red, providing a complex look at artificial entities fighting for their own agency.
Mr. Robot
Sam Esmail · Series · 2015
Shares 2 threads with All Systems Red: Techno-thriller, Cyberpunk.
Elliot shares the cynical, socially anxious perspective of the protagonist in All Systems Red, using his unique skills to navigate a corrupt corporate world while struggling with his own identity.
Altered Carbon
Laeta Kalogridis · Series · 2018
Shares a thread with All Systems Red: Cyberpunk.
This noir-infused story mirrors the corporate-dominated future of All Systems Red, focusing on a protagonist who must reclaim his humanity while trapped within a system that views him as property.
The Expanse
Mark Fergus · Series · 2015
Shares 2 threads with All Systems Red: Space Opera, Cyberpunk.
The intricate corporate conspiracies and high-stakes environment of All Systems Red are mirrored here, offering a sprawling look at how systemic power shapes the lives of those caught in the middle.
Podcasts on the same thread
S-Town
Serial Productions · Podcast · 2024
Explores: small-town isolation, eccentricity, social decay.
If the voice and internal monologue of the protagonist in All Systems Red kept you engaged, this investigative study provides a similarly intimate look at a deeply eccentric, isolated individual.
Reply All
Gimlet · Podcast · 2026
Explores: internet subcultures, modern connectivity, technological ethics.
This podcast explores the strange, often unsettling ways that modern technology impacts human life, echoing the themes of digital connectivity and ethics that underpin the world of All Systems Red.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is All Systems Red a standalone book?
All Systems Red is a novella written by Martha Wells. It is the first installment in the Murderbot Diaries series. While the story functions independently as a single entry, the narrative continues through subsequent volumes featuring the same protagonist.
How long is All Systems Red?
All Systems Red is categorized as a novella. Its length is shorter than a standard novel, which is reflected in its status as a winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards for Best Novella. It provides a concise introduction to the series.
Is All Systems Red available as a series adaptation?
Yes, All Systems Red has been adapted into an Apple Original series. The production is helmed by Academy Award nominees Paul Weitz and Chris Weitz and stars Emmy Award winner Alexander Skarsgård as the lead character.
What kind of awards has All Systems Red won?
All Systems Red has achieved significant critical recognition. It is a winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards for Best Novella. Additionally, the book received an Alex Award and is recognized as both a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.