What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedMistress America
Noah Baumbach · Film · 2015
If you loved Mistress America, start with Master of None (Alan Yang, 2015) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Mistress America across media.
You loved Mistress America because it captures the messy, transformative power of being mentored by a captivating, slightly chaotic older figure.
Books on the same thread
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Truman Capote · Book · 1958
Explores: New York City Life, Socialite Culture, Moral Ambiguity.
Like Mistress America, this classic explores the allure of a charismatic, amoral socialite whose whirlwind life in New York City leaves a lasting, complex impression on those around her.
The Female Persuasion
Meg Wolitzer · Book · 2018
Shares a thread with Mistress America: Mentorship.
This novel echoes the dynamic of Mistress America by focusing on the intense, shifting power balance between a starry-eyed freshman and a mentor who defines her own path.
The Midwife's Apprentice
Karen Cushman · Book · 1995
Explores: Coming-of-age, Apprenticeship, Self-discovery.
Much like the mentorship found in Mistress America, this story follows a young woman finding her identity through a challenging and unusual apprenticeship in a strange new world.
Emma
Jane Austen · Book · 1984
Explores: Matchmaking, Social Class, Self-Deception.
The wit and self-deception that drive the characters in Mistress America are present here, as Emma navigates her own misguided schemes and complex social ambitions with sparkling comedic flair.
Series on the same thread
Master of None
Alan Yang · Series · 2015
Shares a thread with Mistress America: Indie Comedy.
If the existential anxiety and urban ambition of Mistress America resonated with you, this series offers a similar look at the messy, awkward process of finding oneself in adulthood.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Amy Sherman-Palladino · Series · 2017
Explores: Self-Discovery, Female Empowerment, Breaking Societal Norms.
Sharing the same spirit of reinvention as Mistress America, this show depicts a woman shedding her old life to pursue creative dreams with a blend of humor and determination.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Tina Fey · Series · 2015
Explores: Cult Survivor, Coming-of-Age, Optimism in the Face of Adversity.
Like the protagonist of Mistress America, Kimmy experiences a jarring transition into New York City, navigating a world that feels both foreign and full of bizarre, life-altering possibilities.
Broad City
Ilana Glazer · Series · 2014
Explores: Female Empowerment, Urban Life, Coming of Age.
This series mirrors the chaotic, intimate female friendships seen in Mistress America, capturing the specific, often hysterical struggle of maneuvering through urban life alongside a volatile, energetic partner.
Podcasts on the same thread
My Brother, My Brother And Me
The McElroys · Podcast
Explores: sibling relationships, humorous advice, absurdist humor.
The absurd, sibling-centric advice dynamic here captures the same spirit of unconventional mentorship and complicated family bonds that define the core relationship in Mistress America.
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
Much like the character-driven comedy of Mistress America, this podcast explores the awkward, often funny pursuit of genuine connection and mentorship within the rigid structures of modern professional life.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Mistress America a movie about a college freshman?
Yes, Mistress America is a 2015 film by Noah Baumbach that follows a college freshman. The plot focuses on her experience with loneliness and her decision to join the eccentric schemes of her future stepsister to overcome her disappointment.
What is the premise of Mistress America?
Mistress America depicts the life of a lonely college freshman who finds a new sense of purpose. She allows herself to be drawn into the wacky, unpredictable schemes of her future stepsister, which helps her manage her feelings of disappointment and isolation.
Who directed the movie Mistress America?
Mistress America was directed by Noah Baumbach and released in 2015. The story centers on a college freshman who navigates her loneliness by engaging in the wild plans proposed by her future stepsister.
What themes are explored in Mistress America?
Mistress America explores themes of loneliness and disappointment during the college years. The narrative follows a freshman who attempts to resolve these personal struggles by participating in the chaotic and wacky schemes orchestrated by her future stepsister.