If you loved
Carlito's Way
Brian De Palma · Film · 1993
You were hooked by Carlito's Way because of the visceral tension found in characters struggling to escape their criminal pasts.
Start with the source
The source
After Hours
Martin Scorsese · Film · 1985
Books on the same thread
Didn't Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta
James Hannaham · Book · 2022
Like Carlito's Way, this story captures the jarring reality of re-entry into society, focusing on the internal and external obstacles faced by someone seeking a second chance after prison.
The Confession: A Novel
John Grisham · Book · 2010
This novel echoes the themes of fate and justice present in Carlito's Way, centering on a man whose final life choices force a confrontation with the consequences of his past.
Fifty Shades Darker
E L James · Book · 2012
If Carlito's Way hit, Fifty Shades Darker shares the thread.
Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls: From the Creator of Captain Underpants (Dog Man #7)
Dav Pilkey · Book · 2019
If Carlito's Way hit, Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls: From the Creator of Captain Underpants (Dog Man #7) shares the thread.
Series on the same thread
Godfather of Harlem
Chris Brancato · Series · 2019
Fans of Carlito's Way will recognize the familiar struggle of a veteran criminal returning to a neighborhood that has moved on, forced to navigate shifting power dynamics and old loyalties.
Tulsa King
Taylor Sheridan · Series · 2022
This series mirrors the fish-out-of-water experience in Carlito's Way, following an aging mobster released from prison who finds that his old life no longer fits the world around him.
Mayans M.C.
Kurt Sutter · Series · 2018
Just as in Carlito's Way, this drama explores the difficult transition of an ex-convict trying to reclaim his identity while remaining tethered to the dangerous underworld he tried to leave.
Podcasts on the same thread
CounterClock
Audiochuck · Podcast · 2025
If Carlito's Way hit, CounterClock shares the thread.
Bag Man
Rachel Maddow, MS NOW · Podcast · 2023
If Carlito's Way hit, Bag Man shares the thread.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Carlito's Way based on a novel or an original screenplay?
Carlito's Way is a 1993 film directed by Brian De Palma. The plot follows Carlito Brigante, an ex-con who intends to leave his criminal past behind after being released from prison, only to find himself drawn back into the New York City underworld despite his intentions to stay free.
Should I watch After Hours if I enjoyed Carlito's Way?
If you enjoyed the atmosphere of Carlito's Way, After Hours is another film from the same era that explores the dark underbelly of New York City. While they have different tones, both films capture the intensity of navigating the city's complex social and criminal landscapes during the 1980s and 1990s.
Does Carlito's Way feature a protagonist who successfully escapes the criminal underworld?
In Carlito's Way, the protagonist Carlito Brigante intends to give up his criminal ways after his release from prison. However, the narrative focuses on how he is inevitably sucked back into the New York City underworld, demonstrating the difficulty of escaping that life once he is re-immersed in it.
What is the primary conflict in Carlito's Way?
The primary conflict in Carlito's Way centers on Carlito Brigante's struggle to maintain his freedom and stay away from crime. Despite his sincere intentions to leave the criminal lifestyle behind after serving years in prison, the pressures of the New York City underworld make it impossible for him to escape.