What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedGangster Squad
Film · 2013
If you loved Gangster Squad, start with Mob City (Frank Darabont, 2013) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 1 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Gangster Squad across media.
If the gritty war between law enforcement and organized crime in Gangster Squad captivated you, explore these dark tales.
Books on the same thread
The Gangster
C.S. Poe · Book · 2021
Shares 2 threads with Gangster Squad: Law Enforcement, Organized Crime.
Like Gangster Squad, this narrative blends historical atmosphere with the high-stakes tension of criminal investigations, though it shifts the battle against organized crime into a unique, magic-infused setting.
The Black Dahlia
James Ellroy · Book · 2014
Explores: Obsession, Police Corruption, Murder Investigation.
This novel mirrors the post-war Los Angeles setting of Gangster Squad, grounding its investigation in the same systemic corruption and dark obsession that defines the city's criminal underbelly.
The Lincoln Lawyer
Michael Connelly · Book · 2011
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Redemption, Justice System.
If you enjoyed the complex moral landscape of Gangster Squad, you will appreciate the legal maneuvering and internal struggles of this gritty look at the Los Angeles justice system.
The Black Echo
Michael Connelly · Book · 2002
Shares a thread with Gangster Squad: Police Procedural.
Much like the protagonists in Gangster Squad, this detective navigates a world of institutional corruption, forcing him to weigh the cost of personal vendettas against the pursuit of justice.
Series on the same thread
Mob City
Frank Darabont · Series · 2013
Shares 2 threads with Gangster Squad: Organized Crime, Neo-Noir.
Set in the same era as Gangster Squad, this series captures the exact same violent power struggle between law enforcement and mobsters vying for control of mid-century Los Angeles.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Underworld Podcast
Podcast
Shares a thread with Gangster Squad: organized crime.
This podcast provides a real-world look at the transnational criminal networks that mirror the sophisticated organized crime operations depicted in the fictionalized world of Gangster Squad.
Naked City
Podcast
Shares a thread with Gangster Squad: Organized Crime.
Fans of the investigative focus in Gangster Squad will find this deep dive into the criminal underworld equally compelling as it uncovers the realities of organized crime.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Gangster Squad set in Los Angeles?
Yes, Gangster Squad takes place in Los Angeles during the year 1949. The film depicts the city under the control of mob king Mickey Cohen, who manages illegal operations involving drugs, guns, and prostitution while maintaining influence over local police and politicians.
Who is the primary antagonist in Gangster Squad?
The primary antagonist in Gangster Squad is Mickey Cohen, a ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king. He exerts control over Los Angeles through his own paid goons and by ensuring that local police and politicians are under his influence to protect his various criminal enterprises.
Does Gangster Squad feature organized crime in 1949?
Yes, Gangster Squad focuses on the organized crime landscape of Los Angeles in 1949. The narrative centers on Mickey Cohen, who attempts to dominate all illegal activities in the region, including gambling and wire bets, while using corruption to evade the law.
What criminal activities does Mickey Cohen control in Gangster Squad?
In Gangster Squad, Mickey Cohen controls a wide range of illegal operations, including the trade of drugs, guns, and prostitutes. He also seeks to dominate the gambling industry by controlling every wire bet placed west of Chicago through his network of corrupt police and politicians.