What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedPOSE
Brad Falchuk · Series · 2018
If you loved POSE, start with Paris Is Burning (Jennie Livingston, 1991) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to POSE across media.
You loved POSE because it masterfully balances the vibrant, performative energy of chosen family with the raw, systemic struggles of marginalized communities.
Start with the source
The source
Paris Is Burning
Jennie Livingston · Film · 1991
Books on the same thread
Torch Song Trilogy
Harvey Fierstein · Book · 1983
Shares 2 threads with POSE: found family, LGBTQ+ Drama.
Like the characters in POSE, Arnold Beckoff navigates the challenges of drag culture and personal identity, offering a similarly poignant look at the pursuit of belonging and self-acceptance.
And The Band Played on
Randy Shilts · Book · 2000
Explores: AIDS epidemic, Government inaction, Scientific discovery.
This investigative work provides the vital context for the HIV/AIDS crisis that looms over the characters in POSE, grounding the emotional drama in the harsh reality of the era.
The Poet X
Elizabeth Acevedo · Book · 2018
Shares a thread with POSE: Self-Discovery.
The fierce search for voice and cultural identity found in this novel mirrors the journey of the protagonists in POSE as they fight to be heard against societal pressures.
Possession
Antonia Susan Byatt · Book · 2002
Explores: Victorian Era, Romantic Poetry, Forbidden Love.
While set in a different period, the focus on uncovering hidden histories and complex, forbidden connections will appeal to those who appreciated the layered storytelling found in POSE.
Films on the same thread
Paris Is Burning
Jennie Livingston · Film · 1991
Shares a thread with POSE: Found family.
As the definitive documentary on the Harlem drag-ball scene, this film acts as the real-world foundation for the subculture and performative identity depicted so beautifully in POSE.
The Normal Heart
Ryan Murphy · Film · 2014
Shares a thread with POSE: LGBTQ+ Drama.
This film captures the same urgent political activism and medical heartbreak regarding the AIDS epidemic that forms a central, defining pillar of the narrative arc in POSE.
Moonlight
Barry Jenkins · Film · 2016
Shares 2 threads with POSE: self-discovery, LGBTQ+ Drama.
The tender exploration of queer identity and the struggle for self-discovery across different life stages resonates deeply with the character-driven emotional core at the heart of POSE.
The Greatest Showman
Michael Gracey · Film · 2017
Shares a thread with POSE: Self-Discovery.
Viewers drawn to the musicality and the spirit of creating a new world for oneself in POSE will appreciate this cinematic celebration of spectacle, ambition, and found community.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
Those who enjoyed the deep investment in communal relationships and the long-term, serialized development of characters in POSE will find a similar focus on human connection here.
Queer The Music: Jake Shears On The Songs That Changed Lives
Podcast
Explores: queer identity, self-expression, music analysis.
This podcast explores the intersection of queer history and artistic expression, echoing the way music and performance serve as essential outlets for the characters living in POSE.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is POSE based on the documentary Paris Is Burning?
POSE is not a direct adaptation of the 1991 documentary Paris Is Burning. However, both works explore the 1980s New York ball culture scene. While Paris Is Burning provides a historical look at the community, POSE functions as a dance musical dramatizing that specific era of society.
How does POSE represent 1980s New York society?
POSE uses a dance musical format to show the juxtaposition of different social worlds in 1980s New York. The series contrasts the underground ball culture scene with the rise of the luxury Trump-era universe and the city's downtown social and literary environments to depict the era.
Should I watch Paris Is Burning if I enjoyed the ball culture scenes in POSE?
Yes, watching Paris Is Burning is a logical step for fans of the ball culture segments in POSE. The 1991 film captures the real-life origins of the subculture that POSE depicts, providing essential historical context for the community and performances featured throughout the television series.
Is POSE considered a musical?
Yes, POSE is categorized as a dance musical. It utilizes music and performance to navigate the various segments of 1980s New York life, specifically bridging the gap between the competitive ball culture world and the broader social and literary scenes of the time.