What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedBlow
Ted Demme · Film · 2001
If you loved Blow, start with Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord (Carlos Moreno, 2012) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 1 podcast, each matched to Blow across media.
If Blow captivated you, it is because you are fascinated by the intoxicating rise and inevitable moral decay of criminal ambition.
Books on the same thread
Junky
William S. Burroughs · Book · 1977
Explores: Drug Addiction, Existentialism, Social Alienation.
Much like the descent seen in Blow, this work explores the raw reality of addiction and the social alienation that accompanies a life lived entirely on the fringes.
The Firm
John Grisham · Book · 1991
Explores: Whistleblower, Dangerous Workplace, Moral Corruption.
You will recognize the same high-stakes tension found in Blow as a protagonist enters a dangerous world of greed and finds their moral compass compromised by corporate corruption.
In Cold Blood
Truman Capote · Book · 2012
Explores: American Dream, Violence, Small Town America.
This narrative mirrors the dark exploration of the American Dream presented in Blow, grounding its examination of violence and social isolation in a haunting, true-to-life journalistic style.
F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald · Book · 1991
Explores: The American Dream, Social Class, Wealth and Status.
The tragic trajectory of wealth and status in this classic reflects the same themes of inevitable loss and hollow success that define the protagonist's journey in Blow.
Series on the same thread
Narcos
Chris Brancato · Series · 2015
Shares a thread with Blow: Moral Ambiguity.
If the rise and fall structure of Blow hooked you, this chronicle of the drug war provides a similarly expansive look at the corruption and power dynamics involved.
Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord
Carlos Moreno · Series · 2012
Shares a thread with Blow: Biographical Crime Drama.
This series captures the same ruthless ambition depicted in Blow, following a man who builds a massive criminal empire only to face the consequences of his own greed.
Snowfall
Eric Amadio · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with Blow: moral ambiguity.
This gritty drama echoes the 1980s atmosphere and the devastating societal impact of the drug trade that served as the backdrop for the life story in Blow.
Narcos: Mexico
Doug Miro · Series · 2018
Explores: Drug Trafficking, Mexican Cartels, DEA Operations.
Much like the narrative arc of Blow, this series examines the perilous rise of a drug cartel and the corrupting influence of power on those involved in trafficking.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell
Podcast
Explores: Drug Trafficking, War on Drugs, Prison Life.
You will appreciate this firsthand perspective on the drug trade, which offers a more personal, conversational look at the same cycles of crime and prison found in Blow.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Blow based on the life of George Jung?
Yes, Blow depicts the life of George Jung, who grows up in a struggling family during the 1950s. After his father goes bankrupt, George moves to California in the 1960s and begins dealing marijuana to avoid the same financial fate as his parents.
What is the primary motivation for George Jung in Blow?
In Blow, George Jung is primarily motivated by a fear of repeating his father's financial failures. After witnessing his family go bankrupt, he decides to start dealing marijuana with his friend Tuna to ensure he does not end up in the same position.
Does Blow take place across multiple decades?
Yes, the story of Blow begins with George Jung in the 1950s as a young boy. The narrative then progresses into the 1960s, a period where George finds success dealing marijuana in California after his family's bankruptcy.
How does the family background affect George in Blow?
In Blow, George is significantly impacted by his mother's constant nagging and his father's inability to provide for the family. This upbringing leads to the family bankruptcy, which drives George to pursue a different path by dealing marijuana to secure his own financial future.