What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedLong Way Down
Jason Reynolds · Book · 2019
If you loved Long Way Down, start with Wayne (Shawn Simmons, 2019) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Long Way Down across media.
If Long Way Down grabbed you, it is because you are drawn to stories where trauma and systemic violence define a young life.
Films on the same thread
Léon: The Professional
Film · 1994
Shares a thread with Long Way Down: Coming-of-age.
Like the protagonist of Long Way Down, Mathilda must navigate a dangerous world of violence and vengeance, finding herself thrust into a life-altering situation that forces her to grow up quickly.
Knives Out
Rian Johnson · Film · 2019
Explores: Family Secrets, Wealth and Privilege, Inheritance.
While the setting differs from Long Way Down, you will appreciate the way this mystery unravels the complex, often toxic dynamics of family secrets and the weight of inherited expectations.
Boyz n the Hood
John Singleton · Film · 1991
Explores: Black male identity, Urban violence, Father-son relationships.
This film mirrors the social realism of Long Way Down, focusing on the crushing pressure of urban violence and the struggle for Black male identity within an unforgiving, systemic environment.
Down by Law
Jim Jarmusch · Film · 1986
Explores: Outsiders, Misunderstood Protagonists, Redemption.
Much like the trapped characters in Long Way Down, these outsiders seek redemption and connection while navigating the constraints of their harsh circumstances and the consequences of their past choices.
Series on the same thread
Longmire
John Coveny · Series · 2012
Explores: Grief and Loss, Small Town Corruption, Redemption.
If you valued the exploration of grief and loss in Long Way Down, this series provides a grounded look at how a man rebuilds his life after a personal tragedy.
When They See Us
Ava DuVernay · Series · 2019
Explores: Racial injustice, Wrongful conviction, Systemic racism.
This series reflects the systemic injustice and trapped desperation found in Long Way Down, showing how external forces can irrevocably alter the trajectory of a young person's life and future.
13 Reasons Why
Brian Yorkey · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with Long Way Down: Revenge.
This story echoes the intense focus on trauma and the ripple effects of a tragic death seen in Long Way Down, revealing the dark secrets that linger after an untimely loss.
Wayne
Shawn Simmons · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Long Way Down: Revenge.
This gritty narrative captures the same coming-of-age spirit found in Long Way Down, as a young person confronts a violent world to reclaim a piece of his father's broken legacy.
Podcasts on the same thread
S-Town
Serial Productions · Podcast · 2024
Explores: small-town isolation, eccentricity, social decay.
This investigative journey mirrors the deep character study found in Long Way Down, peeling back the layers of social decay and isolation that define a person's complicated relationship with their home.
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: provincial life, tragic irony, forensic breakdown.
If the cycle of violence in Long Way Down moved you, this podcast offers a sociological lens on the tragic, often cyclical nature of crime within isolated and struggling small towns.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Long Way Down a critically acclaimed book?
Yes, Long Way Down has received significant critical acclaim. It is a Newbery Honor Book, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book, and a Printz Honor Book. Additionally, it won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature and was longlisted for the National Book Award.
What is the premise of Long Way Down?
Long Way Down is described as an intense snapshot of the chain reaction caused by pulling a trigger. The narrative explores the immediate consequences and emotional weight surrounding this specific action, earning starred reviews from major literary publications like Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and Publishers Weekly.
How do reviewers describe the quality of Long Way Down?
Reviewers have praised Long Way Down highly. Booklist calls it an intense snapshot, Kirkus Reviews describes the work as astonishing, and Publishers Weekly refers to it as a tour de force. These accolades reflect its status as a highly regarded piece of young adult literature.
Who is the author of Long Way Down?
Long Way Down was written by Jason Reynolds and published in 2019. The book has achieved widespread recognition for its writing, securing multiple honors including the Newbery Honor and the Printz Honor, as well as being named a winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.