If you loved
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network · Podcast · 2026
You appreciate how Criminal strips away the sensationalism of crime to reveal the complex, often heartbreaking human realities buried beneath.
Books on the same thread
Trick Mirror
Jia Tolentino · Book · 2019
Much like the sociological inquiries in Criminal, these essays dismantle the structures of self-deception and cultural performance that dictate how we perceive truth and moral behavior in modern life.
Didn't Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta
James Hannaham · Book · 2022
This novel mirrors the empathy found in Criminal by centering the lived experience of an individual navigating a flawed system, emphasizing the human struggle for redemption after societal isolation.
The Long and Faraway Gone
Lou Berney · Book · 2015
This narrative captures the same focus on memory and trauma that drives the best episodes of Criminal, exploring how the weight of the past shapes our understanding of guilt.
Girlhood
Melissa Febos · Book · 2021
If you admire the way Criminal examines the intersection of memory and societal pressure, this collection provides a similarly rigorous, personal investigation into the forces that shape female identity.
Films on the same thread
All Your Faces
Jeanne Herry · Film · 2023
This film echoes the restorative justice themes often explored in Criminal, focusing on the intimate, difficult dialogue between victims and offenders rather than just the crime itself.
Blue Velvet
David Lynch · Film · 1986
Just as Criminal peels back the layers of local secrets, this film delves into the dark, surreal underbelly of small-town life to expose the fragility of human innocence.
Just Mercy
Destin Daniel Cretton · Film · 2019
This film aligns with the legal advocacy and focus on systemic injustice found in Criminal, highlighting the human cost when the legal system fails the vulnerable and wrongly accused.
Anatomy of a Fall
Justine Triet · Film · 2023
This courtroom drama captures the moral ambiguity and reliance on subjective truth that defines the narrative style of Criminal, leaving you to reconcile conflicting perspectives on a single event.
Series on the same thread
American Crime Story
Scott Alexander · Series · 2016
This series shares the investigative curiosity of Criminal, using high-profile cases as a lens to examine the systemic corruption and media scrutiny that define our cultural relationship with crime.
The Act
Nick Antosca · Series · 2019
This show mirrors the psychological depth of Criminal by focusing on the complex, toxic interpersonal dynamics that lead individuals to commit shocking acts in private, domestic settings.
People Magazine Investigates
Series · 2016
Fans of the investigative storytelling in Criminal will appreciate how this series uncovers the human stories behind headlines, prioritizing firsthand accounts and the nuances of the criminal experience.
Honeymoon Se Hatya
Mrunalini Havaldar · Series · 2026
This docudrama explores the same domestic fractures and patterns of human behavior that Criminal highlights, focusing on the dark intersection of betrayal, control, and the breakdown of marital bonds.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Criminal part of a larger podcast network?
Yes, Criminal is produced as part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. It was established in 2026 and is hosted by Phoebe Judge.
What is the subject matter of the podcast Criminal?
Criminal is a show focused on stories about people who have done wrong, been wronged, or found themselves caught somewhere in the middle of those situations.
Has Criminal received any critical recognition?
Yes, Criminal was named one of the best podcasts of 2023 by the New York Times. It is recognized as the first show of its kind in the true crime genre.
Who is the host of the podcast Criminal?
The podcast Criminal is hosted by Phoebe Judge. The show explores unique stories about people involved in criminal activity or those affected by it.