What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedKnives Out
Rian Johnson · Film · 2019
If you loved Knives Out, start with Poker Face (Rian Johnson, 2023) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Knives Out across media.
If you loved Knives Out, you likely crave the delicious intersection of biting social satire and the intricate, high-stakes puzzle of a whodunit.
Books on the same thread
Death on the Nile
Agatha Christie · Book · 1992
Shares 2 threads with Knives Out: Wealth and Privilege, Whodunit.
Like the sprawling family drama in Knives Out, this classic mystery centers on the intersection of immense wealth and the dark, jealous secrets that inevitably follow the elite.
Mysteries
Knut Hamsun · Book · 2001
Explores: Existentialism, Social alienation, Outsider.
Just as Knives Out uses an eccentric outsider to disrupt a static environment, this story examines the unsettling influence of a mysterious stranger upon a small, insular community.
The Murder on the Links
Agatha Christie · Book · 1923
Explores: closed circle of suspects, inheritance disputes, eccentric detectives.
This story mirrors the inheritance disputes and hidden motives found in Knives Out, offering a classic locked-room setup that demands the same keen observation as Benoit Blanc's investigation.
The Thursday Murder Club
Richard Osman · Book · 2020
Explores: Retirement, Friendship, Unlikely Detectives.
If the charm of Knives Out was the ensemble cast of colorful suspects, you will enjoy this group of amateur sleuths navigating their own web of small-town secrets.
Series on the same thread
Only Murders in the Building
Steve Martin · Series · 2021
Shares a thread with Knives Out: Mystery Comedy.
This series captures the modern, meta-commentary on the genre that made Knives Out so refreshing, pairing an obsession with true crime with a sharp, witty mystery-solving dynamic.
The White Lotus
Mike White · Series · 2021
Shares a thread with Knives Out: Dark Comedy.
This show shares the scathing critique of wealth and privilege found in Knives Out, focusing on how power and class dynamics create a breeding ground for dark behavior.
Agatha Christie's Poirot
Series · 1989
Shares a thread with Knives Out: Whodunit.
Fans of the intellectual rigor in Knives Out will appreciate the classic, refined approach to solving complex puzzles and navigating the deceptive nature of the upper-class society portrayed.
Poker Face
Rian Johnson · Series · 2023
Shares a thread with Knives Out: Moral Ambiguity.
Created by the same mastermind behind Knives Out, this series features an outsider protagonist who uses a unique, innate skill to expose the lies of the wealthy and powerful.
Podcasts on the same thread
S-Town
Serial Productions · Podcast · 2024
Explores: small-town isolation, eccentricity, social decay.
Much like the investigation at the heart of Knives Out, this podcast dives into the unsettling eccentricities of a wealthy family and the social decay hidden behind closed doors.
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: provincial life, tragic irony, forensic breakdown.
This podcast mirrors the dark comedy of Knives Out by balancing a grim, detailed look at human tragedy with a sharp, comedic lens on the social nuances of life.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Knives Out a mystery film about a detective?
Yes, Knives Out features the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc. He is enlisted to investigate the death of renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey, sifting through a web of lies and red herrings to uncover the truth behind the untimely death.
Who is the central character investigating the death in Knives Out?
The central character investigating the death in Knives Out is Detective Benoit Blanc. He is brought in to examine the circumstances surrounding Harlan Thrombey, who is found dead at his estate shortly after celebrating his 85th birthday.
Does Knives Out focus on a specific family dynamic?
Knives Out centers on the dysfunctional family of Harlan Thrombey following his death. Detective Benoit Blanc must navigate the interactions between these family members and the estate staff to determine who is responsible for the crime.
What is the primary conflict in Knives Out?
The primary conflict in Knives Out involves the mysterious death of Harlan Thrombey. Detective Benoit Blanc must investigate the estate to separate self-serving lies from the facts, ultimately working to solve the mystery surrounding the novelist's death.