What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedFocus
Glenn Ficarra · Film · 2015
If you loved Focus, start with Imposters (Adam Brooks, 2017) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 3 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Focus across media.
What hooked you in Focus was the exhilarating dance between deception and genuine affection where the lines of trust blur.
Books on the same thread
Crook Manifesto
Colson Whitehead · Book
Explores: systemic corruption, 1970s urban decay, criminal underworld.
Much like the high-stakes atmosphere of Focus, this book captures the tension of navigating a criminal underworld where every interaction is a calculated risk against dangerous, powerful forces.
The Lies I Tell
Julie Clark · Book
Explores: con artists, unreliable narrator, obsession.
If the manipulation in Focus kept you guessing, this psychological thriller deepens the obsession, forcing you to question the motives of a narrator who plays the ultimate long con.
9-Nov
Colleen Hoover · Book · 2015
Explores: destiny, creative inspiration, long-term commitment.
While Focus uses crime as a backdrop for romance, this story mirrors that intense, fated connection between two people whose lives are irrevocably altered by a single, transformative encounter.
November 9: A Novel
Colleen Hoover · Book · 2022
Explores: Trauma, Redemption, Fate.
This novel echoes the central romantic tension found in Focus, specifically the way secrets and potential deception threaten to destroy a bond built on a complex, recurring connection.
Series on the same thread
Imposters
Adam Brooks · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with Focus: Revenge.
Fans of the cat-and-mouse dynamic in Focus will appreciate this series, which centers on a master manipulator who leaves victims reeling after blurring the lines between romance and robbery.
Hustle
Tony Jordan · Series · 2004
Shares a thread with Focus: Deception.
This series captures the same thrill of the intricate sting seen in Focus, focusing on a team of professionals who thrive on the adrenaline of high-stakes, deceptive performances.
White Collar
Jeff Eastin · Series · 2009
Explores: Partnership, Redemption, Moral Ambiguity.
The partnership between a career criminal and a professional in Focus finds a parallel here, exploring the moral ambiguity and chemistry that develops when two opposing sides must collaborate.
Podcasts on the same thread
Scam Junkie
Podcast
Shares a thread with Focus: deception.
If the technical artistry of the con in Focus fascinated you, this podcast provides an unfiltered look at the actual secrets and tactics used by a career criminal.
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network · Podcast · 2026
Explores: moral ambiguity, social justice, human behavior.
Just as Focus delves into the complex motivations behind deceptive behavior, this podcast explores the gray areas of human conduct, highlighting the stories of those caught in criminal webs.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Focus a story about a romantic relationship?
Yes, Focus centers on the romantic involvement between an accomplished con artist named Nicky and his disciple Jess. Their relationship evolves as they navigate a complex professional dynamic that eventually leads to a confrontation years later when Jess returns to interfere with Nicky's plans.
Does Focus involve a conflict between Nicky and Jess?
Yes, Focus depicts a conflict that emerges after Nicky ends his relationship with Jess. Years after their initial involvement, Jess returns as a femme fatale to spoil the plans of her former mentor, creating a tense narrative centered on their complicated past and professional rivalry.
What is the primary role of Jess in Focus?
In Focus, Jess begins as a disciple of the con artist Nicky. Following their romantic involvement and subsequent breakup, she later reappears in the film as a femme fatale, actively working to undermine and spoil the schemes that Nicky is attempting to execute.
Is Nicky the main character in Focus?
Yes, Nicky is the central figure in Focus. He is established as an accomplished con artist who takes on a disciple named Jess. The plot follows his professional life and his shifting relationship with Jess as she transforms from his student into an adversary years later.