What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedMasquerade
Nicolas Bedos · Film · 2022
If you loved Masquerade, start with The Crowned Clown (Kim Hee-won, 2019) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Masquerade across media.
If Masquerade hooked you, it is because you enjoy watching beautiful, morally fluid people weaponize their charm to navigate webs of high-stakes deception.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Crowned Clown
Kim Hee-won · Series · 2019
Books on the same thread
The Adventures of Sam Spade and other stories
Dashiell Hammett · Book · 2022
Shares a thread with Masquerade: Moral ambiguity.
Just like the characters in Masquerade, Sam Spade operates in a world where moral ambiguity and calculated seduction are the primary tools used to survive the criminal underworld.
Crook Manifesto
Colson Whitehead · Book
Explores: systemic corruption, 1970s urban decay, criminal underworld.
This narrative captures the same gritty atmosphere of exploitation found in Masquerade, focusing on individuals who must outmaneuver dangerous forces within a corrupt and unforgiving social landscape.
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald · Book · 2004
Explores: American Dream, Social Class, Love and Loss.
If you were drawn to the toxic obsession and pursuit of wealth in Masquerade, this classic tragedy explores the hollow, destructive nature of social climbing and excess.
Behind A Mask
Louisa May Alcott · Book · 2019
Explores: Deception, Manipulation, Social Climbing.
Much like the master manipulators in Masquerade, Jean Muir is a brilliant deceiver who uses her social status to exploit those around her for personal gain and security.
Series on the same thread
Your Friends & Neighbors
Jonathan Tropper · Series · 2025
Explores: wealth inequality, midlife crisis, moral decay.
This series mirrors the dark hedonism of Masquerade, showing how a person’s descent into a life of crime can become an exhilarating, yet ultimately deadly, game of deception.
Imposters
Adam Brooks · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with Masquerade: Romantic Crime.
Maddie is the spiritual successor to the con artists in Masquerade, proving that the most dangerous people are those who use romantic manipulation to rob others of everything.
Moonlighting
Glenn Gordon Caron · Series · 1985
Explores: Will They/Won't They, Sexual Tension, Quirky Characters.
While lighter in tone, this show shares the central dynamic of Masquerade by pairing two people whose relationship is built on a foundation of professional deception and mutual interest.
The White Lotus
Mike White · Series · 2021
Explores: Privilege, Class Conflict, Wealth Inequality.
This series echoes the themes of privilege and exploitation seen in Masquerade, revealing the dark, complex layers of people who appear picture-perfect while hiding their true, greedy motives.
Podcasts on the same thread
Crime in Sports
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: athlete misconduct, legal absurdity, scandalous behavior.
If you appreciated the dark humor and scandalous behavior of Masquerade, this podcast finds the same absurdity in the lives of people who lose their way through bad decisions.
Stugotz and Company
iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: absurdism, unfiltered opinion, camaraderie.
For those who enjoyed the cynical, unfiltered perspective of the characters in Masquerade, this show offers a similar brand of irreverent commentary on the world of high-stakes competition.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Masquerade based on any specific source material?
Masquerade is a 2022 film directed by Nicolas Bedos. It is not an adaptation of a previous work, but rather an original story focusing on the lives of Adrien, a former dancer, and Margot, a woman who survives through scams and manipulations.
What is the premise of the movie Masquerade?
Masquerade follows Adrien, a dancer whose career ended after a motorcycle accident. He spends his time in idleness until he meets Margot, a woman who sustains her lifestyle through elaborate scams and amorous manipulations, which fundamentally changes the trajectory of his life.
Should I watch The Crowned Clown if I enjoyed Masquerade?
While both titles are distinct, viewers who enjoyed the themes of deception and identity in Masquerade may find interest in The Crowned Clown. However, note that Masquerade is a 2022 film by Nicolas Bedos, whereas The Crowned Clown is a 2019 television production.
Who directed the 2022 film Masquerade?
The 2022 film Masquerade was directed by Nicolas Bedos. The story centers on the intersection of the lives of Adrien, a former dancer struggling with a career-ending motorcycle accident, and Margot, who makes her living through various scams and romantic manipulations.