What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedPaterson
Jim Jarmusch · Film · 2016
If you loved Paterson, start with Joe Pera Talks With You (Joe Pera, 2018) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 3 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Paterson across media.
If you loved Paterson, you likely crave stories that find profound meaning within the quiet, repetitive textures of an ordinary life.
Books on the same thread
Stoner
John Williams · Book · 2003
Explores: Existentialism, Disillusionment, Quiet Desperation.
Like the protagonist of Paterson, William Stoner finds dignity in his daily routine, offering you a similarly meditative look at a life defined by quiet persistence and academic dedication.
Carol
Patricia Highsmith · Book · 2015
Explores: Forbidden Love, Social Taboo, Identity.
The tender intimacy found in Carol echoes the delicate, observant style of Paterson, focusing on the subtle emotional shifts that occur between two people living in a specific time.
Dubliners
James Joyce · Book · 1992
Explores: Paralysis, Epiphany, Irish Identity.
Much like Paterson, these stories capture the essence of a particular urban landscape, grounding their profound observations about human nature in the recognizable rhythms of everyday city life.
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
James Joyce · Book · 2022
Explores: artistic awakening, religious disillusionment, Irish nationalism.
If you appreciated the focus on creativity in Paterson, you will find this portrait of an artist's awakening to be a deeply resonant exploration of the poetic mind at work.
Series on the same thread
Joe Pera Talks With You
Joe Pera · Series · 2018
Shares a thread with Paterson: Small Town Life.
This series mirrors the gentle, mindful appreciation for small-town existence seen in Paterson, inviting you to slow down and find beauty in the mundane details of a simple day.
Portlandia
Jonathan Krisel · Series · 2011
Explores: Urban satire, hipster culture, social commentary.
While Paterson treats its subjects with sincerity, this series provides a satirical look at the same urban culture, offering a sharp, comedic lens on the eccentricities of modern life.
High Maintenance
Katja Blichfeld · Series · 2016
Explores: New York City Life, Urban Loneliness, Interconnectedness.
This series shares the episodic, slice-of-life structure of Paterson, using a recurring figure to weave together a mosaic of diverse characters navigating the complex landscape of city living.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Existentialism, Individual Responsibility, Cultural Critique.
For those interested in the philosophical underpinnings of the life explored in Paterson, this podcast provides an intellectual framework for understanding the individual responsibility inherent in our daily choices.
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: provincial life, tragic irony, forensic breakdown.
This podcast provides a sociological look at small-town life that acts as a darker, investigative companion to the poetic observations of the community depicted throughout the film Paterson.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Paterson based on a true story?
Paterson is a fictional film about a week in the life of a bus driver who writes poetry. While the movie is set in Paterson, New Jersey, a city known for its history of famous poets and artists, the characters and events depicted are original creations by Jim Jarmusch.
What is the premise of Paterson?
Paterson follows a week in the life of a bus driver named Paterson who lives in Paterson, New Jersey. The narrative explores his daily routine as a poet alongside his wife, Laura, who is a very creative artist living with him in their hometown.
How long is the movie Paterson?
The film Paterson documents one week in the life of its protagonist. While the specific runtime is not provided in the metadata, the narrative structure is intentionally focused on this seven-day period, highlighting the daily experiences of the bus driver and his wife, Laura, in New Jersey.
Where does the movie Paterson take place?
Paterson takes place in Paterson, New Jersey. The city serves as an essential backdrop for the film because it is the hometown of many famous poets and artists, which reflects the creative pursuits of the main characters, the bus driver Paterson and his wife Laura.