What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedFriends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing
Matthew Perry · Book · 2022
If you loved Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, start with Patrick Melrose (David Nicholls, 2018) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing across media.
If you loved the raw, unflinching vulnerability of Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, you will value these explorations of recovery and human imperfection.
Films on the same thread
Project Hail Mary
Phil Lord · Film · 2026
Explores: competence porn, amnesia, interspecies friendship.
Like the protagonist of Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Ryland Grace must navigate isolation and self-discovery while relying on his wit to survive a life-altering crisis.
A Star Is Born
Bradley Cooper · Film · 2018
Shares a thread with Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: Self-Destruction.
This film mirrors the honest portrayal of addiction and the crushing weight of fame found in Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing through its poignant, character-driven narrative.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Stephen Chbosky · Film · 2012
Shares 3 threads with Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: Mental health, Friendship, Trauma.
Fans of the painful self-reflection in Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing will appreciate this sensitive look at navigating mental health and finding connection during turbulent formative years.
Barbie
Greta Gerwig · Film · 2023
Explores: Existentialism, Gender Roles, Self-Discovery.
This story uses humor to tackle existential identity crises, echoing the way Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing questions the meaning of a life lived in the spotlight.
Series on the same thread
Patrick Melrose
David Nicholls · Series · 2018
Shares 3 threads with Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: Trauma, Addiction, Recovery.
This series offers a parallel to Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by blending dark humor with a harrowing, deeply personal examination of addiction and intergenerational trauma.
Strangers with Candy
Stephen Colbert · Series · 1999
Explores: Fish-out-of-water, Social satire, Dysfunctional family.
Those drawn to the unconventional life path described in Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing will recognize the dark, satirical take on a messy journey toward personal redemption.
The Big Bang Theory
Chuck Lorre · Series · 2007
Shares a thread with Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: Friendship.
While lighter in tone, this show captures the central importance of friendship dynamics that served as the backdrop for the struggles depicted in Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.
Black Books
Dylan Moran · Series · 2000
Explores: misanthropy, dysfunctional friendship, alcoholism.
The misanthropic humor and focus on the consequences of alcoholism in this series provide a cynical, comic lens on the darker themes explored in Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.
Podcasts on the same thread
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
This podcast explores the loneliness of celebrity, mirroring the introspective, self-deprecating honesty that made the author's voice in Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing so uniquely compelling.
Making A Scene
Matt Lucas and David Walliams · Podcast
Shares a thread with Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: friendship.
This show treats celebrity life with the same retrospective, anecdotal humor found in Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, humanizing the figures behind the public image.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing an autobiography?
Yes, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing is a memoir written by Matthew Perry. It details his personal journey from his childhood ambitions and rise to fame to his struggles with addiction and his eventual path to recovery following a life-threatening health event.
What topics does Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing cover?
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing covers the life of Matthew Perry. It explores his early childhood, his career as an acclaimed actor, his experiences with fame, and the significant challenges he faced regarding addiction, rehabilitation, and his recovery after a serious health crisis.
When was Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing published?
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing was published in 2022. The book provides a personal account of Matthew Perry's life, documenting his experiences with fame and his long-term journey through addiction and recovery leading up to the release of the memoir.
Does Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing discuss Matthew Perry's health?
Yes, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing addresses his health extensively. The narrative follows his journey through frequent hospital visits and stints in rehab, focusing on his recovery process in the aftermath of a life-threatening health scare that impacted his life and career.