What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedChicago
Rob Marshall · Film · 2002
If you loved Chicago, start with American Crime Story (Scott Alexander, 2016) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Chicago across media.
You were hooked by the way Chicago turns systemic corruption, dark moral ambiguity, and the desperate pursuit of fame into theater.
Books on the same thread
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee · Book · 1970
Explores: Racial Injustice, Childhood Innocence, Moral Courage.
Like Chicago, this story explores the high-stakes intersection of legal proceedings and public perception, placing the weight of moral courage against a backdrop of deeply entrenched societal prejudice.
The Devil in the White City
Erik Larson · Book · 2003
Explores: Juxtaposition of good and evil, urban development, industrial revolution.
This historical account captures the same dark, atmospheric spirit of Chicago, juxtaposing the glamour of a grand urban event with the sinister reality of human corruption and hidden crimes.
Farewell, My Lovely
Raymond Chandler · Book · 1992
Shares 2 threads with Chicago: Moral Ambiguity, Corruption.
If the cynical, hardboiled moral ambiguity of Chicago resonated with you, this quintessential detective story delivers the same grit, betrayal, and classic femme fatale tension you crave.
A Time to Kill
John Grisham · Book · 1992
Explores: Racial injustice, Revenge, Morality.
This courtroom drama mirrors the intense legal battles found in Chicago, focusing on the high-stakes friction between personal revenge and the complex, often broken machinery of the justice system.
Series on the same thread
The Shield
Shawn Ryan · Series · 2002
Shares a thread with Chicago: Moral ambiguity.
This gritty series mirrors the moral ambiguity of Chicago, portraying a world where the lines between law enforcement and criminality blur as characters prioritize self-interest above all else.
American Crime Story
Scott Alexander · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with Chicago: Moral Ambiguity.
Much like the media-obsessed landscape of Chicago, this series deconstructs the way public scrutiny and systemic corruption shape criminal investigations, turning real-life infamy into a compelling, theatrical narrative.
Only Murders in the Building
Steve Martin · Series · 2021
Explores: True Crime Obsession, New York City, Intergenerational Friendship.
This series captures the true crime obsession that drives the characters in Chicago, blending the thrill of a murder investigation with a sharp, comedic focus on the performance of fame.
Fargo
Noah Hawley · Series · 2014
Shares a thread with Chicago: Moral Ambiguity.
This anthology series echoes the dark, cynical humor of Chicago, placing ordinary people into extraordinary, violent circumstances where moral lines are constantly tested by the weight of their choices.
Podcasts on the same thread
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: mental health awareness, female friendship, coping mechanisms.
If you enjoyed the way Chicago sensationalized crime for public consumption, this podcast offers a conversational, community-driven exploration of the true crime stories that captivate and entertain the modern audience.
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with Chicago: moral ambiguity.
This podcast digs into the same complex moral ambiguity found in Chicago, focusing on the human interest behind the headlines and the legal anomalies that define those caught in crime.
Common questions
Is Chicago set in the modern day?
No, Chicago is not set in the modern day. The film takes place in the 1920s, focusing on the lives of Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart as they navigate the legal system and seek fame while facing potential time on death row.
What is the primary conflict in Chicago?
The primary conflict in Chicago involves murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart. While both women are on death row, they compete against each other to gain public notoriety and fame, which they believe is the only way to avoid being sent to the gallows.
How many main characters are featured in Chicago?
Chicago centers on two main characters, Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart. The plot follows these two women as they are imprisoned together and fight for the media attention and fame necessary to escape their death sentences in the city of Chicago.
Is Chicago based on a true story?
The provided metadata for Chicago does not specify if the film is based on a true story. It describes the movie as a 2002 production by Rob Marshall that follows two fictional murderesses, Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, as they fight for fame on death row.